Fully Printed, Wireless, Stretchable Implantable Biosystem toward Batteryless, Real-Time Monitoring of Cerebral Aneurysm Hemodynamics

Abstract

This study introduces a high-throughput, large-scale manufacturing method that uses aerosol jet 3D printing for a fully printed stretchable, wireless electronics. A comprehensive study of nanoink preparation and parameter optimization enables a low-profile, multilayer printing of a high-performance, capacitance flow sensor. The core printing process involves direct, microstructured patterning of biocompatible silver nanoparticles and polyimide. The optimized fabrication approach allows for transfer of highly conductive, patterned silver nanoparticle films to a soft elastomeric substrate. Stretchable mechanics modeling and seamless integration with an implantable stent display a highly stretchable and flexible sensor, deployable by a catheter for extremely low-profile, conformal insertion in a blood vessel. Optimization of a transient, wireless inductive coupling method allows for wireless detection of biomimetic cerebral aneurysm hemodynamics with the maximum readout distance of 6 cm through meat. In vitro demonstrations include wireless monitoring of flow rates (0.05–1 m s−1) in highly contoured and narrow human neurovascular models. Collectively, this work shows the potential of the printed biosystem to offer a high throughput, additive manufacturing of stretchable electronics with advances toward batteryless, real-time wireless monitoring of cerebral aneurysm hemodynamics.