Implantable sensors for continuous monitoring
Self-powered biodegradable sensor for post-surgical monitoring
Digital sensors enabling continuous monitoring of blood pressure would allow early discovery of blood vessel collapse or clot – primary causes of readmission within the first 30-days after heart and vascular surgery. To be effective, such sensors need to be sensitive enough (< 5 kPa) to detect small changes in blood pressure, matched to the tissue stiffness, and biodegradable, to eliminate the need for device-extraction surgeries. Our overall goal is to develop a self-powered biodegradable pressure sensor with the potential for wireless signal transfer that is tested in vitro under conditions that mimic the in vivo environment.
In collaboration with Erica Zeglio, Stockholm University.
Highly durable soft strain sensor
Traditional follow-up assessments in post-acute care often miss gradual postoperative cardiac deterioration occurring outside hospital settings. Advances in remote patient monitoring show promise, but continuous, sensitive, and practical methods are lacking. Building on previous work introducing a durable, soft strain sensor, this research presents VITALS, an implantable strain sensing network that enables continuous biventricular, multiaxial monitoring of cardiac function. The sensor’s novel design affords a longer fatigue life than previously possible for soft, large-deformation strain sensors, while effectively minimizing shear loading effects to enhance accuracy. Additionally, the system integrates a sensor on the aorta for synchronous systolic pressure monitoring. Animal studies demonstrate VITALS’ ability to track epicardial strain with high fidelity, detect preload changes rapidly, and differentiate inotropic states. Validation against echocardiographic chamber volumes and global strain underscores the sensor’s clinical relevance, offering a practical solution for continuous, accurate cardiac monitoring to improve patient outcomes.
Publications
A.Kight, M. Haidar, M.Shibata, Y. Ono, G. Ikeda, A. Sharir, F. Semproni, Y. Palagani, S. Taheri, A. Kyungwon Han, M. Ma, K. Riemer, D.B. McElhinney, S.A. Dual, M. Cutkosky. VITALS: An Implantable Sensor Network for Postoperative Cardiac Monitoring in Heart Failure Patients. Manuscript under review.
A. Kight, I. Pirozzi, X. Liang, D.B. McElhinney, A. Kyungwon Han, S.A. Dual and M. Cutkosky. Decoupling Transmission and Transduction for Improved Durability of Highly Stretchable, Soft Strain Sensing: Applications in Human Health Monitoring. MDPI Sensors 23(4) 2023.
A. Kight, M. Cutkosky, D.M. McElHinney, I. Pirozzi, X. Liang, S. Dual, K.W. Han, Implantable, Stretchable Sensor for Continuous Biomechanical Monitoring of the Heart (05.02.2023). Invention disclosure on file. Application number 63/443421, United States Patent and Trademark Office. (Preparing for large-scale marketing)
In collaboration with Stanford University.
