skip to main content


Title: Bioresorbable optical sensor systems for monitoring of intracranial pressure and temperature
Continuous measurements of pressure and temperature within the intracranial, intraocular, and intravascular spaces provide essential diagnostic information for the treatment of traumatic brain injury, glaucoma, and cardiovascular diseases, respectively. Optical sensors are attractive because of their inherent compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Existing implantable optical components use permanent, nonresorbable materials that must be surgically extracted after use. Bioresorbable alternatives, introduced here, bypass this requirement, thereby eliminating the costs and risks of surgeries. Here, millimeter-scale bioresorbable Fabry-Perot interferometers and two dimensional photonic crystal structures enable precise, continuous measurements of pressure and temperature. Combined mechanical and optical simulations reveal the fundamental sensing mechanisms. In vitro studies and histopathological evaluations quantify the measurement accuracies, operational lifetimes, and biocompatibility of these systems. In vivo demonstrations establish clinically relevant performance attributes. The materials, device designs, and fabrication approaches outlined here establish broad foundational capabilities for diverse classes of bioresorbable optical sensors.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1827693
NSF-PAR ID:
10212139
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Science Advances
Volume:
5
Issue:
7
ISSN:
2375-2548
Page Range / eLocation ID:
eaaw1899
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. null (Ed.)
    Objective and Impact Statement . Real-time monitoring of the temperatures of regional tissue microenvironments can serve as the diagnostic basis for treating various health conditions and diseases. Introduction . Traditional thermal sensors allow measurements at surfaces or at near-surface regions of the skin or of certain body cavities. Evaluations at depth require implanted devices connected to external readout electronics via physical interfaces that lead to risks for infection and movement constraints for the patient. Also, surgical extraction procedures after a period of need can introduce additional risks and costs. Methods . Here, we report a wireless, bioresorbable class of temperature sensor that exploits multilayer photonic cavities, for continuous optical measurements of regional, deep-tissue microenvironments over a timeframe of interest followed by complete clearance via natural body processes. Results . The designs decouple the influence of detection angle from temperature on the reflection spectra, to enable high accuracy in sensing, as supported by in vitro experiments and optical simulations. Studies with devices implanted into subcutaneous tissues of both awake, freely moving and asleep animal models illustrate the applicability of this technology for in vivo measurements. Conclusion . The results demonstrate the use of bioresorbable materials in advanced photonic structures with unique capabilities in tracking of thermal signatures of tissue microenvironments, with potential relevance to human healthcare. 
    more » « less
  2. Abstract

    Pressures in the intracranial, intraocular, and intravascular spaces are important parameters in assessing patients with a range of conditions, of particular relevance to those recovering from injuries or from surgical procedures. Compared with conventional devices, sensors that disappear by natural processes of bioresorption offer advantages in this context, by eliminating the costs and risks associated with retrieval. A class of bioresorbable pressure sensor that is capable of operational lifetimes as long as several weeks and physical lifetimes as short as several months, as combined metrics that represent improvements over recently reported alternatives, is presented. Key advances include the use of 1) membranes of monocrystalline silicon and blends of natural wax materials to encapsulate the devices across their top surfaces and perimeter edge regions, respectively, 2) mechanical architectures to yield stable operation as the encapsulation materials dissolve and disappear, and 3) additional sensors to detect the onset of penetration of biofluids into the active sensing areas. Studies that involve monitoring of intracranial pressures in rat models over periods of up to 3 weeks demonstrate levels of performance that match those of nonresorbable clinical standards. Many of the concepts reported here have broad applicability to other classes of bioresorbable technologies.

     
    more » « less
  3. Abstract

    Measurements of regional internal body temperatures can yield important information in the diagnosis of immune response‐related anomalies, for precisely managing the effects of hyperthermia and hypothermia therapies and monitoring other transient body processes such as those associated with wound healing. Current approaches rely on permanent implants that require extraction surgeries after the measurements are no longer needed. Emerging classes of bioresorbable sensors eliminate the requirements for extraction, but their use of percutaneous wires for data acquisition leads to risks for infection at the suture site. As an alternative, a battery‐free, wireless implantable device is reported here, which is constructed entirely with bioresorbable materials for monitoring regional internal body temperatures over clinically relevant timeframes. Ultimately, these devices disappear completely in the body through natural processes. In vivo demonstrations indicate stable operation as subcutaneous and intracranial implants in rat models for up to 4 days. Potential applications include monitoring of healing cascades associated with surgical wounds, recovery processes following internal injuries, and the progression of thermal therapies for various conditions.

     
    more » « less
  4. Precise form-fitting of prosthetic sockets is important for the comfort and well-being of persons with limb amputations. Capabilities for continuous monitoring of pressure and temperature at the skin-prosthesis interface can be valuable in the fitting process and in monitoring for the development of dangerous regions of increased pressure and temperature as limb volume changes during daily activities. Conventional pressure transducers and temperature sensors cannot provide comfortable, irritation-free measurements because of their relatively rigid construction and requirements for wired interfaces to external data acquisition hardware. Here, we introduce a millimeter-scale pressure sensor that adopts a soft, three-dimensional design that integrates into a thin, flexible battery-free, wireless platform with a built-in temperature sensor to allow operation in a noninvasive, imperceptible fashion directly at the skin-prosthesis interface. The sensor system mounts on the surface of the skin of the residual limb, in single or multiple locations of interest. A wireless reader module attached to the outside of the prosthetic socket wirelessly provides power to the sensor and wirelessly receives data from it, for continuous long-range transmission to a standard consumer electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet computer. Characterization of both the sensor and the system, together with theoretical analysis of the key responses, illustrates linear, accurate responses and the ability to address the entire range of relevant pressures and to capture skin temperature accurately, both in a continuous mode. Clinical application in two prosthesis users demonstrates the functionality and feasibility of this soft, wireless system.

     
    more » « less
  5. The goal of the proposed study is to establish an Arctic Observing Network (AON) for sea surface partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and pH in the perennially ice-covered portion of the Arctic Ocean. The carbon cycle is of particular concern in the Arctic because it is unknown how carbon sources and sinks will change in response to warming and the reduction of summer sea ice cover, and whether these changes will lead to increased greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere. Furthermore, the penetration of anthropogenic caron dioxide (CO2) into the Arctic Ocean is leading to acidification with potentially serious consequences for organisms. Little is known about pCO2 and the inorganic carbon cycle in the central Arctic Ocean because most measurement programs to date have focused on the Arctic shelves during the accessible summer period. The investigators propose to use an existing component of the Arctic Observing Network, the Ice-Tethered Profilers (ITP), as platforms for deployment of in situ pCO2 and pH sensors. ITPs are automated profiling systems distributed throughout the perennial Arctic ice pack that telemeter data back to shore: 44 ITPs have been deployed since 2004 and the project is currently slated to continue through 2013. In the proposed work, a total of 6 ITPs will be equipped with CO2 sensors and four of these will also have pH sensors. The sensors will be fixed on the ITP cable ~2-4 meters below the ice. Each unit will include additional sensors for dissolved O2, salinity, and photosynthetically available radiation (and in some cases chlorophyll-a fluorescence) and will be capable of making 12 measurements per day for at least one year. These data, available in near real-time on the ITP web site (www.whoi.edu/itp/), will lead to a better understanding of the Arctic Ocean's role in regulating greenhouse gases and how the ecology of the Arctic will change with warming and acidification. The investigators will also engage in outreach programs including public presentations, podcasts, and school visits. A portion of the budget is also dedicated to the development of a climate-change/ocean acidification exhibit to be displayed in the University of Montana's science museum. The exhibit will reside at the museum for three months, then visit over 15 rural and tribal communities annually over a three year period. Undergraduate students will be recruited to assist with the sensor testing and data analysis, gaining a higher level of technical knowledge than possible through a traditional degree program. These data were collected using in situ sensors for the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), temperature, salinity and depth. Sensors were deployed at ~6 meter depth on ice-tethered profilers, in collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (Rick Krishfield and John Toole). Data are available at the website http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=20781. 
    more » « less