An origami-inspired implant could monitor health from beneath the skin
The skin is the body's largest organ. It is a protective shield that keeps harmful pathogens out and vital fluids inside. These very properties make it a tough engineering challenge to design wearable health sensors because many internal chemical signals cannot easily pass through it.
A foldable, battery-free implant developed by researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Southern California could revolutionize health monitoring from within the body. This origami-inspired device, named MiFi, is small enough to be inserted without major surgery and large enough to carry wireless power components and multiple sensors. MiFi's unique accordion-style design allows it to be folded into a smaller form for insertion and then autonomously unfolds into a 2.1 cm x 2.1 cm square once implanted.
Instead of relying on bulky batteries, MiFi harnesses power through near-field communication (NFC) to transmit data to a nearby reader. Tests using pig skin models demonstrated that MiFi could transmit data over 20 millimeters. Implantation tests in rats showed the device could measure heart and breathing rates, temperature, tissue acidity, and lithium levels. The lithium sensor could potentially monitor medications like lithium, which requires careful dosage management.
While the technology has shown promise in animal models and tissue samples, more work is needed before human trials can begin. The researchers believe their approach could enable multiplexed monitoring with quick, suture-free insertion procedures, potentially offering a significant advantage in personalized healthcare.
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