Organic encapsulants for bioresorbable medical electronics

Bioresorbable medical electronics represents an emerging class of implantable sensors and/or stimulators that can be absorbed harmlessly in the human body, eliminating the patients’ permanent loads and the needs for risky secondary removal surgeries. This article specifically highlights recent advances in organic encapsulans that govern the lifetime, mechanical and electrical stability of the bioresorbable electronic implants. The core content focuses on the physics and chemistry of bioresorbable polymers, spanning degradation mechanism, mechanical stretchablilty, water permeability, and interfacial adhesiveness, along with tissue adhesion. Following discussions highlight the use cases of these polymers as organic encapsulations in bioresorbable electronic implants with therapeutic purposes, including nerve regeneration, pain block, and temporary cardiac pacing. A concluding section summarizes research opportunities of organic materials for advanced bioresorbable electronic systems.

Graphical Abstract