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Abstract <p>Soft, minimally invasive tools integrating electrical and pharmacological functions are vital for treating dynamic organs where rigid implants or systemic drugs lack precision and compliance. We present a simple, scalable strategy to fabricate stretchable metallic nanowire/thermoplastic polyurethane (NW/TPU) composite tubes. Upon injecting the composite solution into water, solvent exchange induces TPU hydrolysis, releasing CO<sub>2</sub> to template a cellular porous wall, while axial flow aligns NWs along the tube. Tube geometry is tunable via injection parameters, enabling continuous, meter-scale production. The tubes exhibit high conductivity (~25,000 S cm⁻<sup>1</sup>), large-strain compliance (~220%), low impedance (1286 Ω @ 1&#xa0;kHz), and soft modulus (~509&#xa0;kPa). Axial NW alignment enhances percolation, maintaining electrical stability under deformation. As deployable electronic catheters, these tubes record electrograms, deliver pacing, and locally infuse drugs <i>in vivo</i>, demonstrating a multifunctional, scalable platform for next-generation soft bioelectronic systems.</p> Impact statement <p>This work establishes a materials-first, manufacturing-friendly route to ultrathin, soft electronic catheters through a water-triggered, one-step formation of metallic nanowire/thermoplastic polyurethane (NW/TPU) tubes at a needle tip. Upon injection of the nanocomposite solution into water, solvent–water exchange and isocyanate hydrolysis generate a cellular porous wall while driving axial NW alignment—an emergent architecture that simultaneously lowers interfacial impedance, preserves high conductivity (~25,000 S cm⁻1), and enables large-strain compliance (~220%). Tube geometry is programmable by needle gauge and injection rate control, allowing continuous, meter-scale production without cleanroom microfabrication. The tubes can be guided into the body minimally invasively. The resulting conduits integrate electrophysiological recording, electrical stimulation, and localized drug delivery <i>in vivo</i>, pointing toward closed-loop, site-specific therapy in dynamic organs. Beyond the specific NW/TPU chemistry, the approach reframes the design and fabrication of electrically functional catheters as reaction-driven self-assembly.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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A facile and scalable materials and processing strategy for soft electronic catheters

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月12日

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  • San Kim,
  • Jae Won Choi,
  • Hyoseon Choi,
  • Dae-Hyeong Kim,
  • Sung-Hyuk Sunwoo

摘要

Abstract

Soft, minimally invasive tools integrating electrical and pharmacological functions are vital for treating dynamic organs where rigid implants or systemic drugs lack precision and compliance. We present a simple, scalable strategy to fabricate stretchable metallic nanowire/thermoplastic polyurethane (NW/TPU) composite tubes. Upon injecting the composite solution into water, solvent exchange induces TPU hydrolysis, releasing CO2 to template a cellular porous wall, while axial flow aligns NWs along the tube. Tube geometry is tunable via injection parameters, enabling continuous, meter-scale production. The tubes exhibit high conductivity (~25,000 S cm⁻1), large-strain compliance (~220%), low impedance (1286 Ω @ 1 kHz), and soft modulus (~509 kPa). Axial NW alignment enhances percolation, maintaining electrical stability under deformation. As deployable electronic catheters, these tubes record electrograms, deliver pacing, and locally infuse drugs in vivo, demonstrating a multifunctional, scalable platform for next-generation soft bioelectronic systems.

Impact statement

This work establishes a materials-first, manufacturing-friendly route to ultrathin, soft electronic catheters through a water-triggered, one-step formation of metallic nanowire/thermoplastic polyurethane (NW/TPU) tubes at a needle tip. Upon injection of the nanocomposite solution into water, solvent–water exchange and isocyanate hydrolysis generate a cellular porous wall while driving axial NW alignment—an emergent architecture that simultaneously lowers interfacial impedance, preserves high conductivity (~25,000 S cm⁻1), and enables large-strain compliance (~220%). Tube geometry is programmable by needle gauge and injection rate control, allowing continuous, meter-scale production without cleanroom microfabrication. The tubes can be guided into the body minimally invasively. The resulting conduits integrate electrophysiological recording, electrical stimulation, and localized drug delivery in vivo, pointing toward closed-loop, site-specific therapy in dynamic organs. Beyond the specific NW/TPU chemistry, the approach reframes the design and fabrication of electrically functional catheters as reaction-driven self-assembly.

Graphical abstract