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Soft Electronic Strain Sensor with Chipless Wireless Readout: Toward Real‐Time Monitoring of Bladder Volume
Author(s) -
Stauffer Flurin,
Zhang Qiang,
Tybrandt Klas,
Llerena Zambrano Byron,
Hengsteler Julian,
Stoll André,
Trüeb Camill,
Hagander Michael,
Sujata JeanMarc,
Hoffmann Felix,
Schuurmans Stekhoven Joy,
Quack Josefine,
Zilly Hannes,
Goedejohann Johannes,
Schneider Marc P.,
Kessler Thomas M.,
Taylor William R.,
Küng Roland,
Vörös János
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
advanced materials technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.184
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2365-709X
DOI - 10.1002/admt.201800031
Subject(s) - materials science , wireless , stretchable electronics , structural health monitoring , wireless sensor network , electronics , interfacing , elastomer , biomedical engineering , computer science , electrical engineering , computer hardware , engineering , telecommunications , composite material , computer network
Sensing mechanical tissue deformation in vivo can provide detailed information on organ functionality and tissue states. To bridge the huge mechanical mismatch between conventional electronics and biological tissues, stretchable electronic systems have recently been developed for interfacing tissues in healthcare applications. A major challenge for wireless electronic implants is that they typically require microchips, which adds complexity and may compromise long‐term stability. Here, a chipless wireless strain sensor technology based on a novel soft conductor with high cyclic stability is reported. The composite material consists of gold‐coated titanium dioxide nanowires embedded in a soft silicone elastomer. The implantable strain sensor is based on an resonant circuit which consists of a stretchable plate capacitor and a coil for inductive readout of its resonance frequency. Successful continuous wireless readout during 50% strain cycles is demonstrated. The sensor element has a Young's modulus of 260 kPa, similar to that of the bladder in order to not impair physiological bladder expansion. A proof‐of‐principle measurement on an ex vivo porcine bladder is presented, which shows the feasibility of the presented materials and devices for continuous, wireless strain monitoring of various tissues and organs in vivo.