Low Impedance Stretchable Epicardial Electrodes for Treating Cardiac Diseases

Conventional cardiac implants, including cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) systems and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), have modulated cardiac conduction and following contraction process in heart failure patients. However, the transvenous lead implantation is incompatible with large-area electrophysiological mapping and selective multi-channel stimulations. Moreover, there are several lead-related drawbacks in conventional CRTs and ICDs. Several reports point to the rigid metal leads as the cause of post-implant issues, such as intravascular thrombosis, lead infection, myocardial damage, and even myocardial perforation. Here, this poster presentation introduces fabrication of soft and conductive epicardial mesh electrodes using a stretchable low-impedance nanocomposite comprising silver-gold core-shell nanowires (Ag-Au NWs) with platinum black (Pt black) in an elastomeric matrix. The soft and conductive epicardial mesh electrodes with low impedance presented a potential solution to the abovementioned issues. The high stretchability, conductivity, biocompatibility, and electrochemical properties of the elastomeric nanocomposite enable excellent quality of electrogram recording and electric stimulations on the animal heart. The various cardiac arrhythmias, such as ventricular bradycardia and ventricular fibrillation, can be monitored and successfully treated with pacing. Electrical pacing using epicardial mesh electrodes supported not only treating arrhythmias but also the effective contraction of the heart.