Bioresorbable Conformal Bioelectronic Platforms for Treatment of Arrhythmias
Open AccessThe heart and its constant rhythm are the source of life. An irregular heart rhythm disrupts the body’s normal functionality and is life-threatening. Implantable cardiac pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillator devices have been a highly effective therapy for irregular heart rhythms for decades by delivering different patterns and strengths of electrical pulses to the heart to normalize the heartbeat. Advances in materials science have enabled the development of new bioelectronics for novel approaches to cardiac electrotherapy. Bioelectronics for diagnosis and treatment that were once bulky have become miniaturized and lightweight. The rigid geometries that were previously incompatible with tissues and organs are now flexible and stretchable to conform to organ curvatures. Energy sources previously dependent on batteries can now harvest energy from mechanical motion, static electricity, light, ultrasound, and electromagnetic fields. Materials at the tissue-bioelectronics interface inducing significant foreign body responses have been replaced by materials such as hydrogels and graphene that are much more biocompatible. The ultrathin devices have flexible and stretchable interconnections to limit the strain on active circuit components. Thus, this network of electronics can undergo significant bending, folding, and stretching while maintaining a high level of performance. These innovations have enabled the development of conformal bioelectronics for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, such as monitors, ablation, pacemaker, and implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy. This dissertation establishes the basis of the utility of bioresorbable and conformal electronics technology in cardiac electrotherapy. First, I present an open thoracic technique for implantation of miniature bioelectronics in rodents which serves as a platform for device-enabled fully conscious in vivo studies of cardiovascular physiology in transgenic rodent disease models. Next, I introduce a hydrogel adhesive that seamlessly integrates bioelectronics to the heart for cardiac pacing and electrical mapping. Then, I present two flexible and transparent systems for optical stimulation and electrical sensing useful for optogenetic studies of the heart. Finally, I introduce the world’s first bioresorbable pacemaker that provides pacemaker therapy and completely resorbs upon completion of therapy. I also describe our closed-loop network of wireless, body-integrated devices that pair with the bioresorbable pacemaker for autonomous temporary cardiac electrotherapy.
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