Silk-based resorbable electronic devices for remotely controlled therapy and in vivo infection abatement

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1407743111
• Publication Date: 2014-11-25T04:48:51Z
• Authors: Hu Tao; Suk-Won Hwang; Benedetto Marelli; Bo An; Jodie E. Moreau; Miaomiao Yang; Mark A. Brenckle; Stanley Kim; David L. Kaplan; John A. Rogers; Fiorenzo G. Omenetto
• Keywords: Mice, Inbred BALB C; Staphylococcus aureus; Radio Waves; Silk; Temperature; Bacterial Infections; Equipment Design; Staphylococcal Infections; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences; 3. Good health; Mice; Biopolymers; Drug Delivery Systems; Anti-Infective Agents; Equipment and Supplies; Absorbable Implants; Animals; Humans; Thermodynamics; Electronics; Wireless Technology

SignificanceWe present the demonstration of in vivo operation of a subcutaneously implanted, resorbable electronic device. The remotely controlled device was wirelessly activated after implantation, successfully eliminating infection, and subsequently dissolving in the surrounding tissue. This approach is a first step for the development of a class of implantable, technological, biomedical devices that resorb harmlessly, eliminating the need for retrieval after use.