Core-Shell Nanowire Biocompatible Coating for Cardiac Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heart electrodes face challenges in achieving biocompatibility and effective electrical pacing due to toxic metal components and difficulties in spatially distributed recordings, which hinder comprehensive heart disease diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A core-shell nanowire comprising a conductive metal core coated with a biocompatible metal shell, integrated into a stretchable composite with polymer layers, inhibiting galvanic reactions and enhancing biocompatibility and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional metal electrodes are used for cardiac pacing, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but biocompatibility deteriorates due to toxic metal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a core-shell nanowire composite structure where a conductive metal core (silver, copper, or aluminum) is encapsulated by a biocompatible metal shell (gold, platinum, or palladium). This composite structure combines the high electrical conductivity of the inner metal with the biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of the outer metal shell, eliminating toxic effects while maintaining electrical performance for cardiac pacing applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested core-shell structure where one metal nanowire is enclosed within another metal shell. The inner conductive metal core is completely encapsulated by the outer biocompatible metal shell, creating a hierarchical nested architecture that protects the inner metal from environmental exposure while preserving its electrical properties
2Loss of information
If conventional catheter electrodes are used, then electrical pacing is achieved, but spatially distributed recordings for comprehensive heart disease diagnosis are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode into multiple discrete nanowire elements arranged in arrays or networks. This segmentation enables multiple spatially distributed recording sites across the cardiac surface, allowing comprehensive capture of electrical activities from different heart regions simultaneously, which is essential for diagnosing complex heart diseases
3Reliability
If metal nanowires are used for stretchable composites, then conductivity is achieved, but galvanic reactions occur reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a biocompatible metal shell as an intermediary layer between the conductive inner metal core and the external environment. This intermediate shell acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between dissimilar metals and corrosive bodily fluids, thereby eliminating galvanic reactions and ensuring long-term electrical performance stability in implantable cardiac devices
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The core-shell nanowire composite offers high conductivity, biocompatibility, and mechanical stretchability, enabling stable electrical performance and safe use in medical devices for cardiac applications, such as cardiac mesh electrodes, facilitating comprehensive heart disease diagnosis and treatment.
Implementation Method 1
A method of forming a core-shell nanowire comprises a step of forming a core-shell nanowire by carrying out epitaxial growth of a biocompatible metal on a surface of a core comprising a conductive metal
Data Source
AI summary
A core-shell nanowire, a method of forming the core-shell nanowire and a stretchable composite comprising the core-shell nanowire are provided. The core-shell nanowire comprises a core comprising a conductive metal and a shell comprising a biocompatible metal. The method of forming the core-shell nanowire comprises a step of forming a core-shell nanowire by carrying out epitaxial growth of a biocompatible metal on a surface of a core comprising a conductive metal. The stretchable composite comprises a first core-shell nanowire/polymer composite comprising first core-shell nanowires and a first polymer, a first insulating layer disposed on the first core-shell nanowire/polymer composite, and a second core-shell nanowire/polymer composite disposed on the first insulating layer and comprising second core-shell nanowires and a second polymer.