A Biodegradable Bioactive Glass-Based Hydration Sensor for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Monitoring changes in edema-associated intracranial pressure that complicates trauma or surgery would lead to improved outcomes. Implantable pressure sensors have been explored, but these sensors require post-surgical removal, leading to the risk of injury to brain tissue. The use of biodegradable implantable sensors would help to eliminate this risk. Here, we demonstrate a bioactive glass (BaG)-based hydration sensor. Fluorine (CaF2) containing BaG (BaG-F) was produced by adding 5, 10 or 20 wt.% of CaF2 to a BaG matrix using a melting manufacturing technique. The structure, morphology and electrical properties of the resulting constructs were evaluated to understand the physical and electrical behaviors of this BaG-based sensor. Synthesis process for the production of the BaG-F-based sensor was validated by assessing the structural and electrical properties. The structure was observed to be amorphous and dense, the porosity decreased and grain size increased with increasing CaF2 content in the BaG matrix. We demonstrated that this BaG-F chemical composition is highly sensitive to hydration, and that the electrical sensitivity (resistive–capacitive) is induced by hydration and reversed by dehydration. These properties make BaG-F suitable for use as a humidity sensor to monitor brain edema and, consequently, provide an alert for increased intracranial pressure.

A biodegradable cardiac electrotherapy device paving the way for autonomous transient implants

“…Biomaterials used in these sensors comprised biodegradable polymers, metals, and nanosilicon 4 . Recently, bioactive glass was added to this armamentarium 5 . The combination of smart materials that have self‐awareness, self‐healing/repair, stimuli‐responsive, and self‐actuating will enable developing autonomous implants.…”

Beyond Tissue replacement: The Emerging role of smart implants in healthcare

“…Its degradation rate is similar to the rate of tissue repair [ 237 , 238 ]. Additionally, glass ceramics and glass polymer composites are used to coat metal implants to improve their mechanical strength, adhesive properties, and bioactivity [ [239] , [240] , [241] ]. These materials exhibit minimal adverse reactions, reducing the risk of inflammation and rejection, leading to improved patient outcomes [ 242 ].…”

“…Additionally, certain types of bioactive glasses stimulate bone tissue growth, enhancing the integration of the implant with the surrounding biological environment [ 243 ]. In addition, sometimes glass or ceramics are used not only as a coating, but also as the main material of the implant [ 239 , 240 ].…”

High Boron Content Enhances Bioactive Glass Biodegradation

“…Several researchers studied possibilities to control the degradation rate, mechanical properties, and electrical and thermal behaviors of BaGs by adjusting their initial chemical composition and with the introduction of various other oxides such as B 2 O 3 , CaF 2, and Al 2 O 3 in BaG [31][32][33]. Different chemical compositions of BaG-B have been applied as scaffolds in maxillofacial applications or as coatings of orthopedic implants [34,35].…”