Stretchable, dynamic covalent polymers for soft, long-lived bioresorbable electronic stimulators designed to facilitate neuromuscular regeneration

Yeon Sik Choi, Yuan Yu Hsueh, Jahyun Koo, Quansan Yang, Raudel Avila, Buwei Hu, Zhaoqian Xie, Geumbee Lee, Zheng Ning, Claire Liu, Yameng Xu, Young Joong Lee, Weikang Zhao, Jun Fang, Yujun Deng, Seung Min Lee, Abraham Vázquez-Guardado, Iwona Stepien, Ying Yan, Joseph W. SongChad Haney, Yong Suk Oh, Wentai Liu, Hong Joon Yun, Anthony Banks, Matthew R. MacEwan, Guillermo A. Ameer, Wilson Z. Ray, Yonggang Huang, Tao Xie, Colin K. Franz, Song Li, John A. Rogers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

203 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Bioresorbable electronic stimulators are of rapidly growing interest as unusual therapeutic platforms, i.e., bioelectronic medicines, for treating disease states, accelerating wound healing processes and eliminating infections. Here, we present advanced materials that support operation in these systems over clinically relevant timeframes, ultimately bioresorbing harmlessly to benign products without residues, to eliminate the need for surgical extraction. Our findings overcome key challenges of bioresorbable electronic devices by realizing lifetimes that match clinical needs. The devices exploit a bioresorbable dynamic covalent polymer that facilitates tight bonding to itself and other surfaces, as a soft, elastic substrate and encapsulation coating for wireless electronic components. We describe the underlying features and chemical design considerations for this polymer, and the biocompatibility of its constituent materials. In devices with optimized, wireless designs, these polymers enable stable, long-lived operation as distal stimulators in a rat model of peripheral nerve injuries, thereby demonstrating the potential of programmable long-term electrical stimulation for maintaining muscle receptivity and enhancing functional recovery.

Original languageEnglish
Article number5990
JournalNature communications
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 Dec

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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