Self-Powered, One-Stop, and Multifunctional Implantable Triboelectric Active Sensor for Real-Time Biomedical Monitoring

TLDR

Implantable device operation is limited by battery life, requiring periodic surgical replacements that burden patients and raise costs. The study proposes a self‑powered, flexible, one‑stop implantable triboelectric sensor that continuously monitors multiple physiological and pathological signals. The iTEAS harvests organ motion energy, measures heart and respiratory rates from output peaks, estimates blood pressure and flow velocity with an arterial catheter, and has shown 2‑week in‑vivo biocompatibility. In animal tests, the iTEAS achieved ~99 % heart‑rate accuracy, detected arrhythmias in real time, maintained performance for 72 h post‑surgery, and demonstrates promise as a fully self‑powered biomedical monitor.

Abstract

Operation time of implantable electronic devices is largely constrained by the lifetime of batteries, which have to be replaced periodically by surgical procedures once exhausted, causing physical and mental suffering to patients and increasing healthcare costs. Besides the efficient scavenging of the mechanical energy of internal organs, this study proposes a self-powered, flexible, and one-stop implantable triboelectric active sensor (iTEAS) that can provide continuous monitoring of multiple physiological and pathological signs. As demonstrated in human-scale animals, the device can monitor heart rates, reaching an accuracy of ∼99%. Cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular premature contraction can be detected in real-time. Furthermore, a novel method of monitoring respiratory rates and phases is established by analyzing variations of the output peaks of the iTEAS. Blood pressure can be independently estimated and the velocity of blood flow calculated with the aid of a separate arterial pressure catheter. With the core-shell packaging strategy, monitoring functionality remains excellent during 72 h after closure of the chest. The in vivo biocompatibility of the device is examined after 2 weeks of implantation, proving suitability for practical use. As a multifunctional biomedical monitor that is exempt from needing an external power supply, the proposed iTEAS holds great potential in the future of the healthcare industry.