A team of engineers, materials scientists, and medical device specialists from institutions in Korea and the U.S. has developed a new material designed for use in medical sensing patches. Their findings, published in Science Advances, highlight the material's potential for creating biodegradable, stretchable, and self-healing medical patches, which could remotely monitor patient health metrics.

The Need for a Versatile Medical Patch

Medical specialists have long sought a multi-use skin patch that could monitor essential health metrics such as body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. Such a device would enable continuous remote monitoring, potentially improving patient care by providing real-time data without the need for bulky equipment. However, creating a patch that can meet the diverse requirements—stretchability, conductivity, biodegradability, and adhesion—has been a major challenge.

In this new study, the researchers present a solution by developing a patch that meets these demands.

Key Requirements for Medical Patches Description
Stretchable and Flexible The patch must conform to curved surfaces like skin or organs
Biodegradable Ideally, the material should dissolve harmlessly after use
Self-Healing Capable of repairing itself to ensure continuous functionality
Conductive It must conduct electricity to function as a sensor

Patch Construction: Combining Two Materials

The researchers developed the patch by combining two types of materials. The first material, an elastomer, serves as the base layer or substrate. This layer is biodegradable and has self-healing properties, making it ideal for adhering to curved surfaces like tissues or organs.

The second layer is the conductive layer, made from PEDOT:PSS—a conductive polymer modified to enhance both its conductivity and self-healing capabilities. The two layers stick together without glue, creating a strong bond while retaining flexibility.

Testing the Patch

To test the patch, the researchers created a 4.5 cm² square patch capable of detecting temperature, pressure, and humidity. The patch was first cut, and then tested for its self-healing abilities, which performed as designed.

They also conducted an in vivo test by applying a smaller patch inside the body of a lab rat. The patch was wrapped around the rat's bladder, where it successfully functioned as a remote pressure sensor. Once the patch outlived its usefulness, it dissolved harmlessly in the body and was flushed away, demonstrating its biodegradability.

Patch Features Description
4.5 cm² square patch Detected temperature, pressure, and humidity
Self-Healing Able to recover after being cut
In Vivo Testing Successfully monitored bladder pressure in lab rats
Biodegradable Dissolved harmlessly in the body after use

Future Applications

This new stretchable, biodegradable, and self-healing material holds promise for future medical devices aimed at remote health monitoring. Its ability to conform to the body, conduct electrical signals, and biodegrade after use could revolutionize the design of wearable sensors in healthcare, offering non-invasive, continuous monitoring while minimizing waste and the need for surgical removal.


More Information:

  • Title: Stretchable and Biodegradable Self-Healing Conductors for Multifunctional Electronics
  • Published By: Tae-Min Jang et al.
  • Journal: Science Advances (2024)
  • DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp9818