3D-printed biodegradable polymeric stent integrated with a battery-less pressure sensor for biomedical applications

We proposed a novel fabrication method for a biodegradable polymeric smart stent using the 3D printing technology. The battery-less pressure sensor based on an LC circuit was integrated onto the 3D-printed polymeric stent for the purpose of wireless monitoring of pressure in a blood vessel. In general, bare-metal stents have been widely employed in medical applications. However, radio frequency (RF) wave generated through an external coil tends to disturb on the surface of metallic stents. This influences to the sensitivity and reliability of the wireless pressure sensor. To solve the drawback, we employed the polymeric stent based on a polycaprolactone material. The 3D printing-based manufacturing process for the biodegradable polymer stent is relatively easy in comparing with a conventional laser method. Furthermore, sensor signal doesn't influence by the stent material and structure. Animal tests were also conducted using the fabricated battery-less pressure sensor. Biocompatibility of the smart stent was experimentally confirmed through a long-term evaluation over 5 months.