Trigger-Detachable Hydrogel Adhesives for Bioelectronic Interfaces

Recent electronics technology development has provided unprecedented opportunities for enabling implantable bioelectronics for long-term disease monitoring and treatment. Current electronics-tissue interfaces are characterized by weak physical interactions, suffering from potential interfacial failure or dislocation during long-term application. On the other hand, some new technologies can be used to achieve robust electronics-tissue interfaces; however, such technologies are limited by potential risks and the discomfort associated with postdetachment of the bioelectronics. Here, a hydrogel-based electronics-tissue interface based on the exploitation of dynamic interactions (such as boronate-diol complexation) that features an interfacial toughness over 400 J m(-2) is presented. Moreover, these hydrogel adhesion layers are also trigger-detachable by dissociating the dynamic complexes (i.e., addition of glucose). These hydrogel-based bioelectronic interfaces enable the in vivo recording of physiological signals (i.e., electromyograph, blood pressure, or pulse rates). Upon mild triggering, these bioelectronics can be easily detached without causing any damage, trauma, or discomfort to the skin, tissues, and organs. This kind of trigger-detachable hydrogel adhesives offer general applicability in bioelectronic interfaces, exhibiting promising utility in monitoring, modulating, and treating diseases where temporary monitoring of physiologic signals, interfacial robustness, and postremoval of bioelectronics are required.