Intelligent Threads Capture Diagnostic Data when Sealed into Tissue

For the very first time, scientists have incorporated electronics, micro-fluids, and sensors into single threads – varying from lean cotton to intricate synthetics, which can be structured through numerous layers of tissue for capturing diagnostic information wirelessly. These are single threads that penetrate numerous layers of tissue to test interstitial fluid and direct it to sense threads that capture data, like glucose and pH levels. Conductive threads then offer the information to a flexible wireless transmitter settled on top of the skin layer.

These are the scientists from the Tufts University who have integrated multiple layers into single threads – belonging to simple materials. The results achieved are lucrative in real-time and suggests that the diagnostic platforms based on these threads could be an efficient substrate for a novel generation of implantable diagnostic gadgets and intelligent wearable systems.

The scientists utilized an array of conductive threads, which were dipped in chemical and physical sensing compounds and linked to wireless electrical circuitry an adjustable platform that they sealed into tissue in vitro as well as rats. The threads gathered data on tissue health, like stress, pressure, temperature and strain, glucose and pH levels that can be utilized to identify such aspects as how a wound heals or whether the infection is appearing or whether there is any chemical imbalance in the body. The results were transferred wirelessly to a mobile phone and PC.

The 3-D platform can confirm complex structured like wounds, organs or orthopaedic implants. While more investigation is required in some zones, like the investigation of enduring biocompatibility, scientists said initial results nurture the possibility of enhancing patient-specific needs.

“The potential to suture a thread-based diagnostic gadget intimately in an organ or tissue environment in 3-dimensions sums a unique feature that is not accessible with other adjustable diagnostic platforms,” says Sameer Sonkusale, a Ph.D professor and corresponding author and director of the interdisciplinary Nano Lab in the Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering at Tufts University School of Engineering.

“We consider thread-based gadgets could be utilized as intelligent sutures for surgical implants, excellent bandages to supervise wound healing or incorporated with fabric or textile as customized health monitors and point-of-care diagnostics.”

Till date, the composition of substrates for implantable gadgets has vitally been 2-D that limits the utility of flat tissue like skin. In addition to this, the elements in such substrates are costly and need specialized processing.

“Contrastingly, the thread resulted out of this research is thin, inexpensive, flexible and abundant and can be conveniently organized into intricate shapes,” says Pooria Mostafalu, a Ph.D. and the first author on the research paper who was a also a doctoral student at Tufts when he was working on the project. He is now a fellow postdoctoral partner with the MIT and Harvard Division of Technology and Health Sciences, Women’s Hospital, and Brigham and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Trained Engineering at the Harvard University. He also adds that “In addition to this, the analytes can be provided directly to the tissue by utilizing threads with natural wicking properties.”