Patient‐Specific Self‐Powered Metamaterial Implants for Detecting Bone Healing Progress. (17th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Barri, Kaveh; Zhang, Qianyun; Swink, Isaac; Aucie, Yashar; Holmberg, Kyle; Sauber, Ryan; Altman, Daniel T.; Cheng, Boyle C.; Wang, Zhong Lin; Alavi, Amir H.
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 32:Number 32(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-05-17
• Subjects: bone healing -- diagnostic -- energy harvesting -- medical implant -- metamaterial -- triboelectric nanogenerators; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202203533
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract: There is an unmet need for developing a new class of smart medical implants with novel properties and advanced functionalities. Here, the concept of "self‐aware implants" is proposed to enable the creation of a new generation of multifunctional metamaterial implantable devices capable of responding to their environment, empowering themselves, and self‐monitoring their condition. These functionalities are achieved via integrating nano energy harvesting and mechanical metamaterial design paradigms. Various aspects of the proposed concept are highlighted by developing proof‐of‐concept interbody spinal fusion cage implants with self‐sensing, self‐powering, and mechanical tunability features. Bench‐top testing is performed using synthetic biomimetic and human cadaver spine models to evaluate the electrical and mechanical performance of the developed patient‐specific metamaterial implants. The results show that the self‐aware cage implants can diagnose bone healing process using the voltage signals generated internally through their built‐in contact‐electrification mechanisms. The voltage and current generated by the implants under the axial compression forces of the spine models reach 9.2 V and 4.9 nA, respectively. The metamaterial implants can serve as triboelectric nanogenerators to empower low‐power electronics. The capacity of the proposed technology to revolutionize the landscape of implantable devices and to achieve better surgical outcomes is further discussed. Abstract : A new generation of patient‐specific metamaterial orthopedic implants with diagnostic capabilities is presented. The proposed metamaterial implants can respond to their environment, empower themselves, and self‐monitor their condition. Bench‐top tests are performed using synthetic biomimetic and human cadaver spine models.