Embedded process for flexible conductive electrodes for applications in tissue electrical impedance scanning (EIS)

Bio-microinstrumentation technology: discrete components to modular systems

“…In the SFU μiL, we have employed our unique hybrid NCP/polymer processing to realize highly flexible electronic circuit boards 23 as well as peg-in-hole type electrical interconnects using C-NCPs. We have also found that we can easily connect wires to C-NCP structures via either embedding of wires directly into the structure 26 , or through conductive adhesives.…”

“…The resulting hybrid structures composed of micropatterned NCP on undoped PDMS are peeled off from the mold. We have realized structures with multiple levels of NCPs using a similar process 26 . Nanoparticle doping levels have ranged from a few percent for C-NCPs containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) up to 65% or more for silver C-NCPs.…”

“…Nonpolarizable Ag/AgCl electrodes can be realized by chloridizing the outer surface of a C-NCP composed of 60 wt-% 80 nm Ag nanoparticles in PDMS 26 . While we have demonstrated these electrodes for tissue impedance measurements together with collaborators in SFU Engineering Science and BC Cancer Agency, these electrodes also have potential applications in biochemical sensors for flexible microfluidic LOC and µTAS such as may be useful for wearable biomedical monitors.…”

“…In such cases, the hydrogel serves as the active element for a flexible polymer valve diaphragm actuator 27 , and is assembled into the valve reservoir using a micromolding process. Other applications range from flexible microfluidic/electronic circuit boards 23 to electrode arrays for impedance-based cancerous tissue detection 26 .…”

Comparison of Different Conductive Fillers in Silicone for the Purpose of Replacing Metallic Conductive Structures in Flexible Implants

“…However, due to the different mechanical properties of metal and the flexible substrate mechanical stress arises at the occurrence of tensile strain and thereby it is possible that the implant is damaged. One approach to overcome this problem is the use of all polymer technology, replacing the metals with conductive polymers [5], [6]. In this work we compare different conductive filling materials that can be used for electrical functionalization of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).…”