Transient Electronics Composite for Controlled Biodegradation Timing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transient electronics lack control over degradation time, flexibility, and biocompatibility, leading to potential damage to organs and immune responses due to uncontrolled degradation and adhesion.
Innovation Solution
A composite comprising a support, transient electronics, and a degradation control unit with a porous polymer layer and biocompatible oil to control degradation time, ensuring flexibility and biocompatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transient electronics are designed to be biodegradable, then they can be absorbed in the body without remaining as foreign substances, but the degradation time cannot be controlled leading to either too quick or too slow degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition and crosslinking density of the hydrogel matrix to control the degradation rate. By adjusting parameters such as polymer concentration, crosslinking agent ratio, and hydrophilicity, the degradation time can be precisely tuned to match the required functional duration of the transient electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining biodegradable polymers (such as PLGA, PCL, or gelatin) with conductive materials (such as silver nanowires, graphene, or conductive polymers) within a hydrogel matrix. This composite structure enables both the biocompatibility and controlled degradation properties while maintaining electrical functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transient electronics are made with sufficient flexibility and adhesion to be compatible with surrounding tissue, then they can integrate well with organs, but they may cause damage to organs due to uncontrolled flexibility and adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the hydrogel matrix with tunable mechanical properties that can adapt to the target tissue's stiffness and elasticity. The dynamic crosslinking mechanisms allow the material to exhibit appropriate adhesion strength initially, then gradually reduce adhesion as degradation progresses, preventing both insufficient integration and excessive adhesion damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by adjusting the crosslinking density, polymer chain length, and hydrogel porosity to control the mechanical strength and adhesion properties. These parameter adjustments enable the transient electronics to have sufficient flexibility for tissue compatibility while preventing harmful adhesion through optimized material composition.
3Reliability
If transient electronics are designed to remain stable in the body to avoid immune response, then they achieve immunological stability, but they cannot degrade at a controlled time point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-engineering the hydrogel matrix with specific degradation triggers or pathways before implantation. The material is designed in advance to remain stable during the required functional period through controlled crosslinking and polymer selection, then automatically initiate degradation through predetermined mechanisms such as hydrolysis, enzymatic breakdown, or pH-triggered degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by carefully selecting polymer composition, molecular weight, and crosslinking density to create a stability-degradation profile. The material parameters are optimized to maintain immunological stability during the functional period while enabling controlled degradation at the desired time point through gradual changes in material properties.
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 composite allows controlled degradation of transient electronics, maintaining flexibility and adhesion to prevent organ damage and immune responses, enhancing biostability and utility.
Implementation Method 1
a porous polymer layer in which biocompatible oil is supported in internal pores
Implementation Method 2
the biological fluid flowing into empty pores of the porous polymer layer eventually comes into contact with the transient electronics
Implementation Method 3
as time elapses after being in contact with the biological fluid, the biocompatible oil which is supported on the porous polymer layer of the composite flows out toward the biological fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The present invention provides a composite for controlling the degradation of transient electronics, wherein the composite can control the degradation time of transient electronics, which are absorbed in the body and degrade after a predetermined time elapses, and thus can greatly improve the utility of the transient electronics. Moreover, the composite can degrade in the body through biodegradation, and has excellent flexibility and biocompatibility, and thus has sufficient biological stability and biocompatibility.