Flexible Biochemical Sensor Electrodes for Moving Soft Tissue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional implantable sensor devices for monitoring neurotransmitters in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal system are rigid, leading to device failure and inflammatory responses due to their inability to accommodate the dynamic movements of soft tissues, and they lack sufficient responsiveness to current biochemical levels.

Innovation Solution

Development of flexible, implantable sensor devices with a tissue-mimicking, stretchable neurochemical interface using a laser-patterned metal-complexed polyimide into an interconnected graphene/nanoparticle network embedded in an elastomer, allowing for real-time, chronic, multichannel, and multiplexed in vivo sensing of monoamines like dopamine and serotonin without interfering with biological activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid sensor devices are used for implantation, then manufacturing and structural stability are improved, but device failure and inflammatory responses occur due to inability to accommodate tissue movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidaccommodation of tissue movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device employs a flexible substrate and encapsulation layer that can stretch and deform with soft tissue movements. The device includes a flexible housing and encapsulation that allow implantation into in vivo environments without interfering with biological activity, enabling the device to accommodate dynamic movements of soft tissues while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes composite material structures including flexible substrates combined with encapsulation layers, creating a material system that provides both mechanical stability and flexibility. This composite approach allows the device to maintain structural integrity while adapting to tissue deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If conventional sensors are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but responsiveness to biochemical levels is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiochemical detection responsivenessVSAvoidsensor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device incorporates multiple electrodes at specific implantation locations, where each electrode is electrically responsive to a distinct biochemical. This localized functional differentiation enables simultaneous detection of multiple biochemicals with high precision while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor device is designed to be concurrently responsive to multiple biochemicals, allowing a single device to perform multiple detection functions. The device can detect various neurotransmitters and biochemicals simultaneously, providing multiplexed sensing capability without requiring multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 flexible sensor devices seamlessly interface with actively moving organs, providing stable and simultaneous monitoring of neurotransmitter signaling from both central and peripheral nervous systems, detecting brain-gut communication and gut microbiota interactions without causing undesired stimulation, and are applicable across various soft organs.

Implementation Method 1

laser-patterning a metal-complexed polyimide into an interconnected graphene/nanoparticle network

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser-induced carbonization: Laser

Implementation Method 2

interconnected graphene/nanoparticle network

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGraphene formation: Graphene

Implementation Method 3

flexible housings and encapsulations to advantageously allow implantation into in vivo environments and affixation with in vivo organs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

electrically responsive to the presence of multiple biochemicals and the like

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical sensing: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20220095963A1Implantable device including a flexible biochemical sensor and method of manufacture thereof

Publication Date: 2022.03.31 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIV

AI summary

Present implementations can include a method of forming an implantable biochemical sensor, by coating a first substrate with a first solution, etching, by a laser, the first substrate to form one or more electrodes in the first substrate, coating a first face of the electrodes with an elastomer solution, coating a second face of the electrodes with the elastomer solution, solidifying the elastomer coating into an elastomer shell at least partially surrounding the electrodes, and removing at least a portion of the elastomer shell to form implantable electrodes.