Ultrathin Implantable Optogenetic Devices with Injectable Needles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for interfacing with biological tissues often cause significant tissue damage and immune responses due to their large size, leading to inflammation and adverse events during implantation and removal, especially when inserted into tissue interiors.
Innovation Solution
Development of ultrathin and mechanically compliant electronic devices with injectable needles and deformable interconnects, allowing for minimally invasive implantation and precise monitoring/control of biologic functions at a cellular scale, similar to micro-needle insertion, with optical sources for tissue interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional devices are used for interfacing with biological tissues, then device functionality is achieved, but tissue damage and immune responses occur due to large device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by creating ultrathin device components with thicknesses of micrometers or less, using flexible substrates and thin-film electronics that can be inserted into tissue with minimal trauma. The thin-film structure allows the device to conform to tissue surfaces and reduce mechanical damage during implantation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into multiple thin-film layers and modular components that can be separately fabricated and assembled. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for specific functions while maintaining overall device thinness, enabling insertion through small incisions without causing excessive tissue damage.
2Ease of operation
If conventional surgical implantation methods are used, then device implantation is achieved, but substantial tissue damage occurs during implantation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrathin flexible device structure enables insertion through minimally invasive techniques similar to micro-needle insertion, avoiding the need for large surgical incisions. The flexibility allows the device to navigate through tissue with minimal resistance and trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates deformable interconnects and flexible structures that can dynamically adapt to tissue movement and deformation. This dynamic compliance reduces mechanical stress on surrounding tissue during both implantation and long-term operation, minimizing trauma.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If device size is reduced to minimize tissue damage, then tissue trauma is reduced, but device complexity increases to achieve cellular-scale functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated thin-film components, combining sensing, stimulation, and communication capabilities in a single ultrathin device. This integration reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying the overall device structure despite the advanced functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with universal thin-film components that can perform multiple functions. For example, flexible substrates serve both as structural support and as pathways for electrical connections, while thin-film electrodes can both stimulate and record from tissue, reducing device complexity through multi-functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If device thickness is increased to accommodate multiple functions, then multi-functionality is achieved, but device invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar to three-dimensional stacking of thin-film layers, allowing multiple functions to be accommodated vertically rather than laterally. This vertical integration enables multi-functionality while maintaining a thin profile, as the device thickness is distributed across multiple ultrathin layers stacked in the third dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested layer structure where functional layers are stacked and integrated within each other. Each layer performs specific functions, and the nested arrangement allows maximum functionality within minimal thickness, similar to nested dolls where smaller components are contained within larger structures.
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
Enables long-term, minimally invasive implantation with reduced tissue trauma, avoiding immune responses and adverse events, while providing precise monitoring and control of biologic functions, and supporting multi-functionality without increasing device thickness or altering dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
an optical source connected to the injectable needle, wherein the optical source has an emitting area less than or equal to 1×105 μm2
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are implantable biomedical devices and related methods for interfacing with a target tissue. The devices comprise a substrate, an electronic device supported by the substrate and a freely positionable injectable needle electronically connected to the electronic device by a deformable interconnect, where the injectable needle has one or more optical sources provided on a distal tip end. The injectable needle may further comprise a photodetector.