Researchers from POSTECH and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed a highly stretchable and tissue-adhesive multifunctional sensor that can monitor bladder activity in overactive bladder (OAB).
The researchers have developed a sensor to monitor the bladder’s mechanical and bioelectrical activities in real-time. The sensor is based on structurally engineered islets embedded in ultra-soft hydrogel, and the change in resistance of printed liquid metal particle thin-film lines under strain is used to detect bladder inflation and deflation. Gold electrodes coated with Platinum black are used to detect electromyography (EMG).
The sensor is a highly feasible and clinically relevant implantable device that continuously monitoring an overactive bladder for diagnosis and treatment. Researchers tested this sensor in an animal study involving rats and pigs. During the research, the sensor was inserted using surgical-robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery in pigs.
The study was conducted with support from the Nano Material Technology Development Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea.
Ref
- Ultra-soft and Highly Stretchable Hydrogel-based Sensor for Monitoring Overactive Bladder» POSTECH. Postech.ac.kr. Published 2023. Accessed March 15, 2023. https://postech.ac.kr/eng/ultra-soft-and-highly-stretchable-hydrogel-based-sensor-for-monitoring-overactive-bladder/
- Oh B, Lim YS, Ko KW, et al. Ultra-soft and highly stretchable tissue-adhesive hydrogel based multifunctional implantable sensor for monitoring of overactive bladder. Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 2023;225:115060. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2023.115060
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