Implantable and Biodegradable Smart Textiles for Continuous Limb and Gastrointestinal Motility Monitoring

The thriving of internet of things and mobile healthcare requires a myriad of sensing devices for continuous implantable and wearable monitoring over extended periods. However, lack of biocompatibility and degradability has become a bottleneck for rehabilitation and close-loop diagnosis and therapy as well as in-vivo biomonitoring platforms. Herein, an implantable and biodegradable smart textile (IBST) composed of natural loofah sponge is reported, carbon ink, and silver nanoparticles. Combining finite element analysis and experimental characterization, optimal sensing performance is achieved, featuring high sensitivity (4.023 [kPa]^-1) and good linearity (R² = 0.995) across a wide sensing range (0-50 kPa), with a response time of 88 ms for pressure detection. Through the construction and training of the neural network model, the prepared IBSTs enable effective identification and evaluation of the force exertion patterns of simulated Parkinson's patients at different stages and the wearer's motion states. Moreover, continuous and accurate monitoring of gastric motility is realized by implanting the IBPS into rats' stomach, validating the excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. This work opens up a new paradigm for next-generation implantable medical devices and advanced wearable electronics.