Establishing the scientific foundations of directly 3D-printing wireless implants inside the body

This project introduces an innovative method to build custom, wireless medical implants inside the body using a robotic probe that enters through a small 'keyhole' incision and prints and assembles complex functional devices without the trauma associated with traditional, large-incision surgery. This method not only reduces recovery times and surgical risks but also broadens the accessibility and potential applications of wireless implants, benefiting a wider range of patients. This innovative technology promises to revolutionize medical fields such as cardiac care, lung surgery, and biomedical sensing, offering new solutions for monitoring and treatment. Beyond its immediate medical impact, the project aims to inspire and educate students by integrating hands-on engineering concepts into educational modules, fostering interdisciplinary learning, and expanding career opportunities in both healthcare and manufacturing. The new approach will bridge the gap between clinical practice and advanced engineering, redefine the roles of surgeons and medical device manufacturers, and ultimately enhance the quality of life and healthcare outcomes for patients. The research of this project aims to advance the field of intracorporeal (i.e., inside the body) three-dimensional (3D) printing by developing new dielectric materials and optimizing fabrication processes for wireless implantable electromagnetic (EM) components. Building on previous success with conductive biocompatible materials, the research will focus on characterizing and combining these materials with novel dielectrics to achieve sub-millimeter printing resolution at body temperature. The main research tasks include defining manufacturing techniques for multi-layer EM structures, embedding non-printable circuit elements, and understanding how manufacturing fidelity affects EM performance. The project team will formulate design guidelines for EM components that are no longer constrained by miniaturization, enabling the creation of implantable antenna arrays and advanced signal control structures previously unattainable due to size limitations. The project will employ both theoretical and numerical analyses to uncover relationships between material properties, design strategies, and device performance, aiming to exceed current EM metrics. By integrating these innovations into simulations and practical demonstrations, the research will contribute significantly to the knowledge base, paving the way for safer, more effective, and versatile wireless implants that can be manufactured directly inside the body. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2614035 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Asimina Kiourti | Institution: OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE, COLUMBUS, OH | Award Amount: $492,146 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2614035 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2614035.html