Flexible‐Device Injector with a Microflap Array for Subcutaneously Implanting Flexible Medical Electronics

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  • Kwangsun Song
    School of Mechanical Engineering Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) 123 Cheomdangwagi‐ro, Buk‐gu Gwangju 61005 Republic of Korea
  • Juho Kim
    School of Mechanical Engineering Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) 123 Cheomdangwagi‐ro, Buk‐gu Gwangju 61005 Republic of Korea
  • Sungbum Cho
    School of Mechanical Engineering Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) 123 Cheomdangwagi‐ro, Buk‐gu Gwangju 61005 Republic of Korea
  • Namyun Kim
    School of Mechanical Engineering Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) 123 Cheomdangwagi‐ro, Buk‐gu Gwangju 61005 Republic of Korea
  • Dongwuk Jung
    School of Mechanical Engineering Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) 123 Cheomdangwagi‐ro, Buk‐gu Gwangju 61005 Republic of Korea
  • Hyuck Choo
    Department of Medical Engineering California Institute of Technology Pasadena CA 91125 USA
  • Jongho Lee
    School of Mechanical Engineering Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) 123 Cheomdangwagi‐ro, Buk‐gu Gwangju 61005 Republic of Korea

Description

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Implantable electronics in soft and flexible forms can reduce undesired outcomes such as irritations and chronic damages to surrounding biological tissues due to the improved mechanical compatibility with soft tissues. However, the same mechanical flexibility also makes it difficult to insert such implants through the skin because of reduced stiffness. In this paper, a flexible‐device injector that enables the subcutaneous implantation of flexible medical electronics is reported. The injector consists of a customized blade at the tip and a microflap array which holds the flexible implant while the injector penetrates through soft tissues. The microflap array eliminates the need of additional materials such as adhesives that require an extended period to release a flexible medical electronic implant from an injector inside the skin. The mechanical properties of the injection system during the insertion process are experimentally characterized, and the injection of a flexible optical pulse sensor and electrocardiogram sensor is successfully demonstrated in vivo in live pig animal models to establish the practical feasibility of the concept.</jats:p>

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