Syringe-injectable electronics

Abstract

Seamless and minimally-invasive three-dimensional (3D) interpenetration of electronics within artificial or natural structures could allow for continuous monitoring and manipulation of their properties. Flexible electronics provide a means for conforming electronics to non-planar surfaces, yet targeted delivery of flexible electronics to internal regions remains difficult. Here, we overcome this challenge by demonstrating syringe injection and subsequent unfolding of submicrometer-thick, centimeter-scale macroporous mesh electronics through needles with a diameter as small as 100 micrometers. Our results show that electronic components can be injected into man-made and biological cavities, as well as dense gels and tissue, with > 90% device yield. We demonstrate several applications of syringe injectable electronics as a general approach for interpenetrating flexible electronics with 3D structures, including (i) monitoring of internal mechanical strains in polymer cavities, (ii) tight integration and low chronic immunoreactivity with several distinct regions of the brain, and (iii) in vivo multiplexed neural recording. Moreover, syringe injection enables delivery of flexible electronics through a rigid shell, delivery of large volume flexible electronics that can fill internal cavities and co-injection of electronics with other materials into host structures, opening up unique applications for flexible electronics.

On “resistance overpotential” caused by a potential drop along the ultrathin high aspect ratio gold nanowire electrodes in cyclic voltammetry

“…Using the Au NWs as an electrode network may increase the density and spatial resolution of electrochemical measurements and create a new type of a large-scale interface to biological matter [5]. A number of studies were devoted to the mechanism of conductivity [6][7][8][9], structural characterization and stability [10] of ultrathin Au NWs.…”

Blending Electronics with the Human Body: A Pathway toward a Cybernetic Future

“…The process involved a thin syringe needle loaded with freestanding and flexible electronic components that were injected into the target tissue ( Figure 15 ). 409 Once inside the body, the flexible electronics could reshape into the desired layout and yield high‐resolution recordings of brain activity. The unique structural and mechanical property of the injected mesh electronics also resulted in an unusually facile integration with the brain tissue, which displayed an unmatched portfolio of formidable properties once inside the brain, as it was more conformable and smaller than any other electrodes that have been implanted into the brain.…”

Interfacing with the nervous system: a review of current bioelectric technologies

“…Such a task, however, is anticipated with the introduction of a neural lace by Elon Musk's Neuralink (San Francisco, CA) [39], which is an ultrathin cortical mesh ultimately meant to enhance cognition by fusing the human mind with the internet [147]. This feat is not achievable with current technologies, and there is no clear understanding of how this system would process enormous bandwidths of neural activity, how it would be powered, and how it would chronically interface with neurons without damaging them; however, a proof of concept has been presented by Lieber et al, who achieved over 8 months of neural recording in a murine model via a syringe-injected nanoscopic selfassembling intracranial mesh, without causing neurological side effects [72]. Future research efforts directed at incorporating sensory feedback in iBCI setups and improving both recording and stimulation parameters is expected, as it can improve the efficacy of iBCI approaches in the clinical and human augmentation realms.…”