Περίληψη: | Development of biocompatible electronic interfaces and systems that can control drug release is a rapidly emerging multidisciplinary scientific niche. Various materials are used for bioelectronic applications, including inorganic electronic materials (e.g. metals and alloys) and organic electronic materials (e.g. graphene, carbon nanotubes, and conducting polymers). We focused here on conducting polymers for biomedical applications and therapeutics. We report 3D printing of conductive polymeric materials in various dimensions and scales (mesoscale, microscale and nanoscale) to be applied as organic bioelectronic neural interfaces and stimuli responsive drug delivery devices. Conductive polymers were 3D printed onto a 3D material (Polydimethylsiloxane PDMS acting as a soft conformal interface) using two-photon polymerization (TPP) via a direct laser writing (DLW) instrument (Nanoscribe), paving the way for the administration of drugs from flexible organic electronic devices. The research was carried out using a polymer frequently used in bioelectronics (polypyrrole, PPy) because it has previously been reported to be non-immunogenic with no significant inflammation and with a positive biocompatibility profile with CNS parenchyma in vivo. This technology has the potential to be applied in therapeutic devices in the future as neural interfaces and implantable or topical drug delivery systems.
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