Woven Fabric Bioelectronic Device Multifunctional Implant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable devices are rigid, difficult to fabricate, and limited to single functions, such as delivering electrical stimulation, without the ability to perform multiple functions or adapt to different tissue environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of an implantable device composed of woven threads, including electrical wire, permeable tubing, optical fiber, and other functional materials, which allows for multifunctionality, flexibility, and structural stability, enabling the device to deliver electrical, optical, and chemical stimuli while monitoring tissue progress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional implantable devices are used, then electrical stimulation can be delivered, but the devices are rigid and difficult to fabricate
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable device is segmented into multiple independent functional threads woven together. Each thread performs a specific function (electrical wire for stimulation, optical fiber for sensing, permeable tubing for drug delivery, polymer fiber for structural support). This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled through weaving, significantly easing fabrication complexity while maintaining all required functions.
2Reliability
If traditional implantable devices are used, then electrical stimulation can be delivered, but the devices serve only one purpose
Solution Approach 1:
The woven fabric device achieves multi-functionality by integrating different thread types within a single structure. Electrical wires enable stimulation, optical fibers enable sensing and monitoring, permeable tubing enables drug delivery, and polymer fibers provide structural support. All these functions coexist in one implantable device, allowing it to perform electrical stimulation, optical sensing, chemical delivery, and mechanical support simultaneously or independently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible implantable device is created, then adaptability to tissue environments improves, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a composite structure where different thread materials are woven together to achieve both flexibility and stability. The polymer fibers provide structural rigidity and shape maintenance, while the softer functional threads (electrical wire, optical fiber, permeable tubing) provide flexibility and adaptability to tissue environments. The weaving pattern distributes mechanical stresses across all thread types, allowing the device to be both flexible enough to conform to tissues and stable enough to maintain its functional integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
The following relates generally to an implantable device (e.g., a device that is implantable to a human or animal subject). In some embodiments. the implantable device comprises a woven portion comprising two or more pluralities of threads woven together. Each of the pluralities of threads may be of a different thread type. Examples of types of threads include electrical wire. permeable tubing. optical fiber. polymer fiber, surface functionalized fiber. absorbable suture, and/or fiber comprising material configured for sensing. In some embodiments, the implantable device may be used to repair a lesion (e.g., a tumor).