Stretchable Nanoelectronic Scaffolds for 3D Tissue Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in uniformly implanting and distributing a large number of interconnected and individually addressable sensors/stimulators throughout 3D organs with minimal damage for chronic recording, as they often contact or penetrate the surface invasively.
Innovation Solution
Development of stretchable cell scaffolds with nanoelectronic pathways that can be embedded within biological structures, allowing for high-resolution electrical property determination and stimulus application, formed from materials that can be manipulated without disrupting connections during stretching, compression, or folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface contact or micro-needle injection methods are used to implant sensors, then individual addressing and spatiotemporal resolution are improved, but tissue damage and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic system is divided into numerous micro-scale individual units that can be distributed throughout the tissue. Each unit functions independently to record or stimulate specific locations, enabling high-resolution mapping without requiring invasive penetration of a single large device into the tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D surface contact or point-based needle injection to 3D volumetric distribution of electronic units throughout the tissue. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous recording/stimulation at multiple depths and locations, achieving high spatiotemporal resolution while avoiding the need for invasive penetration
2Measurement precision
If a large number of interconnected sensors are implanted throughout 3D organs, then system-level mapping capability is improved, but implantation complexity and tissue disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor units and their interconnections are integrated into a single fabricable electronic structure that can be implanted as one piece. This merging approach simplifies the implantation process while maintaining the capability for system-level mapping through the distributed network of interconnected units
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic units are designed with multi-functional capabilities to perform both recording and stimulation functions. This universality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying implantation while maintaining comprehensive system-level mapping capability
3Reliability
If rigid electronic devices are used to maintain structural integrity, then device reliability is improved, but adaptability to biological structure growth and deformation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device structure incorporates dynamic, flexible materials and designs that allow it to deform, stretch, and adapt as the biological tissue grows or moves. This dynamic design maintains electrical connections and structural integrity through deformation, ensuring reliable long-term operation while accommodating biological changes
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes materials and structures whose physical parameters (such as flexibility, stretchability, and conformability) can change in response to biological conditions. These parameter changes enable the device to adapt to tissue growth and deformation while maintaining functional reliability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires and nanoelectronics, which in some aspects may be embedded in biological structures, such as tissues, organoids, organs, organisms, and the like. For example, one aspect is generally directed to stretchable cell scaffolds, which may be connected to electrical circuits. In some cases, a biological structure may form around the scaffold and deform the cell scaffold as it forms, thereby causing the cell scaffold to become embedded within the biological structure. The scaffold may be connectable in certain embodiments to an external device, e.g., to determine a property of the cell scaffold (e.g., an electrical property), and/or to apply a stimulus (e.g., an electrical stimulus) to the biological structure. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such cell scaffolds, kits including such cell scaffolds, biological structures containing such cell scaffolds, or the like.