| Abstract Scope |
Biodegradable materials offer a compelling path for implantable medical systems by providing therapeutic or diagnostic function for a defined period, followed by complete resorption without the need for surgical retrieval. The emergence of soft, stretchable electronics has accelerated efforts to integrate biodegradable polymers with bioresorbable inorganic materials, enabling transient devices designed for mid-term operation within the body. A notable example is a biodegradable intracranial pressure (ICP) sensor for traumatic brain injury, which couples a polymer-based MEMS cantilever with a silicon nanomembrane piezoresistive gauge. This presentation reviews the degradation chemistry and kinetics of key materials used in bioresorbable electronics and introduces hybrid integration techniques—such as transfer printing—that enable the precise assembly of organic–inorganic systems. We conclude by presenting a syringe-injectable, self-deployable cortical electrode based on shape-memory polymers and geometric design principles, representing a fully bioresorbable interface that reduces invasiveness across the entire clinical cycle—from implantation to disappearance. |