Ultrastretchable Organogel/Silicone Fiber-Helical Sensors for Self-Powered Implantable Ligament Strain Monitoring.

Abstract

Implantable sensors with the abilities of real-time healthcare monitoring and auxiliary training are important for exercise-induced or disease-induced muscle and ligament injuries. However, some of these implantable sensors have some shortcomings, such as requiring an external power supply or poor flexibility and stability. Herein, an organogel/silicone fiber-helical sensor based on a triboelectric nanogenerator (OFS-TENG) is developed for power-free and sutureable implantation ligament strain monitoring. The OFS-TENG with high stability and ultrastretchability is composed of an organogel fiber and a silicone fiber intertwined with a double helix structure. The organogel fiber possesses the merits of rapid preparation (15 s), good transparency (>95%), high stretchability (600%), and favorable stability (over 6 months). The OFS-TENG is successfully implanted on the patellar ligament of the rabbit knee for the real-time monitoring of knee ligament stretch and muscle stress, which is expected to provide a solution for real-time diagnosis of muscle and ligament injuries. The prepared self-powered OFS-TENG can monitor data on human muscles and ligaments in real-time.