In Vivo Wireless Sensors for Gut Microbiome Redox Monitoring

A perturbed gut microbiome has recently been linked with multiple disease processes, yet researchers currently lack tools that can provide in vivo, quantitative, and real-time insight into these processes and associated host-microbe interactions. We propose an in vivo wireless implant for monitoring gastrointestinal tract redox states using oxidation-reduction potentials (ORP). The implant is powered and conveniently interrogated via ultrasonic waves. We engineer the sensor electronics, electrodes, and encapsulation materials for robustness in vivo, and integrate them into an implant that endures autoclave sterilization and measures ORP for 12 days implanted in the cecum of a live rat. The presented implant platform paves the way for long-term experimental testing of biological hypotheses, offering new opportunities for understanding gut redox pathophysiology mechanisms, and facilitating translation to disease diagnosis and treatment applications.

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