A Degradable Sensor Based on Insect Protein for Postsurgical Diagnosis of Joint Health

Degradable electronics have received extensive attention due to their potential to construct 'green' electronics and implantable medical devices. However, in the development of degradable devices, the contradiction between the strict requirements for biodegradability and the pursuit of device performance has brought considerable challenges to the selection of materials. This paper reports a biodegradable flexible tactile sensor (BFTS) based on chitosan film doped with Ostrinia furnacalis cuticular protein (OfCPH-1) as substrate and Zn as the interdigital electrode. The BFTS maintains a precise and stable response to microdistance, and it is completely degraded in 3 h through the solubility test in Stroke-physiological saline solution. Furthermore, the BFTS has been tested in complications monitoring after meniscal removal surgery by the dynamic detection of articular cartilage wear and effusion of joint. These results indicate that the BFTS has potential application as implantable medical devices.