Sungkyunkwan University Professor Bang Chang-hyeon and Son Dong-hee’s team developed a clean bio-insertable electronic patch that does not contain chemical residues during point and detachment based on a hybrid microstructure that mimics the sole of a frog.
This biocompatible electronic patch can maintain high adhesion even in a dynamic in vivo movement and moisture environment without chemical adhesives.
The bioadhesive material modeled after a frog’s foot induces adhesion based on hydrogen bonding (physical static electricity), capillary force, and suction stress (mechanical interaction). It is designed to have no characteristics.
Existing bio-insertable electronic patches are mainly attached using medical sutures or bioadhesive chemical materials. There is a problem in that water is highly likely to cause side effects of biological rejection or adhesion.
Recently, dry adhesives based on flexible polymer materials have been applied, but they have technical limitations in that it is difficult to maintain clean adhesive performance with respect to dynamic movements and elastic properties of mucous membranes and surrounding muscles on living surfaces.
The research team first identified the thermodynamic equilibrium mechanism between the surface adhesion and electrostatic force of a microstructure-based elastic polymer modeled on the sole of a frog and hydrogel (hybrid adhesive material). has been developed.
In addition, by using a biocompatible clean adhesive bio-device with high tissue adhesion ability, the electrophysiological signals (electrocardiogram, electromyography, electroencephalogram, etc.) It has been confirmed that reliable measurements are possible.
The developed clean, high-performance adhesive electronic patch interface material can be used as a bio-adhesive for wound closure and hemostasis of internal and external tissues such as skin as well as internal organs.
In addition, it is expected to be applied to a neuro-mechanical interface system that can be reliably and long-term monitored by overcoming the gap in mechanical properties between nerves and devices.
The clean adhesive-based electronic patch material is expected to be a breakthrough for close and clean adhesion for long-term use of various bioadhesive or implantable diagnostic/therapeutic devices applied to the skin, muscle and heart surfaces.
The results of this study were published online on November 15, 2021 in the international scientific journal ‘Advanced Materials’ (the paper was selected for the cover of the publication).
