NeuroWorm: a Long-term Implantable Soft Microfibre for Multimodal Biosensing

Abstract Long-term implantable bioelectronics can efficiently evaluate the function of the nervous system and serve as effective human-machine interfaces. Here, inspired by earthworms, we introduce NeuroWorm, a soft and stretchable fibre sensor for bio-signal monitoring. Our approach involves rolling to transform 2D bioelectronic devices into 1D NeuroWorm, resulting in a soft, multifunctional microfibre housing over 60 longitudinally-distributed electrodes for bio-electric and -mechanical monitoring. It can be implanted in muscle with tiny incision for 8-month bio-electrical monitoring in rats. Importantly, after 13-month implantation, the fibroblast encapsulation around the fibre is negligible. Moreover, it can wander inside a brain under magnetic field. This strategy not only facilitates the development of multi-channel and multi-functional soft and stretchable fibre-shaped NeuroWorm sensors but also offers a platform for unprecedently long-term minimally-invasive implantable bioelectronics.