Co-electrodeposited hydrogel-conducting polymer electrodes for biomedical applications

Abstract

Bioelectrodes having enhanced biocompatible and biomimetic features are provided. Methods of making and using the bioelectrodes are further provided. A biologically integrated bioelectrode device and method for detecting electronic signals using a bioelectrode comprising a first electrically conductive substrate and a biological component. The bioelectrode also comprises a conductive polymer electrically coupling the first electrically conductive substrate and the biological component to define a bioelectrode. The bioelectrode can transmit or receive an electrical signal between the electrically conductive substrate and the biological component and conductive polymer.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A biologically integrated bioelectrode device comprising:
 a first electrically conductive substrate; and   a conductive polymer electrically coupling said first electrically conductive substrate to a biological component to collectively define a bioelectrode, said bioelectrode transmitting or receiving an electrical signal between the first electrically conductive substrate and one of said biological component and said conductive polymer, said conductive polymer comprising a surface formed by a template biological component, wherein most or all of said template biological component is removed from said surface to provide voids which can be occupied by said biological component upon implantation of the device.   
     
     
         30 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 29 , wherein said biological component includes one or more of a tissue, organic living cell, a cellular constituent or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 30 , wherein said cellular constituent is selected from the group consisting essentially of a membrane, an organelle, an ion-channel, a lipid bi-layer, a receptor, an enzyme, a protein, an antibody, an antigen, a nucleic acid and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 30 , wherein said organic living cell is selected from the group consisting essentially of natural or recombinant eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells. 
     
     
         33 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 31 , wherein said eukaryotic cells are selected from the group consisting essentially of cardiac cells, neural cells, muscle cells, stem cells, stromal cells, hematopoietic cells and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 33 , wherein said neural cells comprise neurons. 
     
     
         35 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 29 , wherein said bioelectrode further comprises at least one hydrogel in proximate contact with said conductive polymer. 
     
     
         36 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 35 , wherein said hydrogel further comprises a bioactive substance. 
     
     
         37 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 29 , wherein said conductive polymer is chosen from the group consisting essentially of copolymers and homopolymers of EDOT, pyrrole, and their functionalized derivatives and copolymers, polyanilines, salt of polyaniline, polyacetylenes, polythiophenes, a poly(3,4-ethylenedithiathiophene), polymer blends thereof, hybrid polymer-metal materials and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 37 , wherein the copolymers and homopolymers of EDOT and pyrrole are chosen from the group consisting essentially of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), poly(pyrrole), their derivatives and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 29 , wherein said conductive polymer is polymerized around said biological component and said first electrically conductive substrate. 
     
     
         40 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 29 , wherein said first electrically conductive substrate contains a conductor chosen from the group consisting essentially of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, tungsten, nickel, titanium, indium tin oxide, copper, carbon, carbon black, carbon fiber, carbon paste, graphite, doped silicon, ceramic, conductive polymer, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         41 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 29 , wherein said bioelectrode further comprises one or more dopants participating in polymerization of the conducting polymer and transmitting or receiving said electrical signal between the first electrically conductive substrate and said conductive polymer. 
     
     
         42 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 29 , further comprising a second electrically conductive substrate. 
     
     
         43 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 42 , further comprising an electrical source of power or current operable to communicate with said first and second electrically conductive substrates and the biological component using one or more electrical signals. 
     
     
         44 . A biocompatible and biomimetic coating for an electrically conductive substrate comprising:
 an electrically conductive polymer, and   a biological component, wherein at least some of said electrically conductive polymer is disposed and polymerized in proximate contact with said biological component and the electrically conductive substrate, said conductive polymer comprising a surface formed by a template biological component, wherein most or all of said template biological component is removed from said surface to provide voids which can be occupied by said biological component upon implantation of the device, and wherein said coating is applied to a microelectrode array, lab on chip device, or target analyte detection device.   
     
     
         45 . A method of electrically detecting a transfer of electrical signals between living cells, comprising the steps of:
 electrically connecting a bioelectrode device to a power source, said bioelectrode device comprising a first electrically conductive substrate in intimate contact with tissue capable of transferring electronic charge, said bioelectrode device comprising:
 the first electrically conductive substrate; 
 a biological component; and 
 a conductive polymer electrically coupling said first electrically conductive substrate to said biological component to collectively define a bioelectrode, said bioelectrode transmitting or receiving an electrical signal between said first electrically conductive substrate and one of said biological component and said conductive polymer, said conductive polymer comprising a surface formed by a template biological component, wherein most or all of said template biological component is removed from said surface to provide voids which can be occupied by said biological component upon implantation of the device, wherein said step of electrically connecting includes electrically connecting a second electrically conductive substrate electrically coupled with the bioelectrode to the power source; 
 applying a voltage or current across said first and second electrically conductive substrates, thereby inducing a voltage or current across said conductive polymer; and 
 detecting the transfer of electrical signals due to the induced voltage or current with said bioelectrode device. 
   
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein said biological component is chosen from the group consisting essentially of cardiac cells, neural cells and muscle cells. 
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the detecting step comprises detecting the transfer of electrical signals wherein said signal is selected from the group consisting essentially of impedance, resistance, capacitance, inductance, and current. 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein said conductive polymer is chosen from the group consisting essentially of copolymers and homopolymers of EDOT, pyrrole, and their functionalized derivatives and copolymers, polyanilines, salt of polyaniline, polyacetylenes, polythiophenes, a poly(3,4-ethylenedithiathiophene), polymer blends thereof, hybrid polymer-metal materials and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the copolymers and homopolymers of EDOT and pyrrole are chosen from the group consisting essentially of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), poly(pyrrole), and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         50 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 29 , wherein said template biological component includes one or more of a tissue, organic living cell, a cellular constituent, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         51 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 50 , wherein said organic living cell is selected from the group consisting essentially of natural or recombinant eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells. 
     
     
         52 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 50 , wherein said cellular constituent is selected from the group consisting essentially of a membrane, an organelle, an ion-channel, a lipid bi-layer, a receptor, an enzyme, a protein, an antibody, an antigen, a nucleic acid, a carbohydrate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         53 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 51 , wherein said natural or recombinant eukaryotic cells are selected from the group consisting essentially of cardiac cells, neural cells, muscle cells, stem cells, stromal cells, hematopoietic cells, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         54 . The biologically integrated bioelectrode device according to  claim 53 , wherein said neural cells comprise neurons. 
     
     
         55 . A biological component-templated electrode comprising a first electrically conductive substrate coupled to a conductive polymer, said electrode obtainable by a method comprising:
 contacting a template biological component with said first electrically conductive substrate so as to form a biologically interfaced electrode;   immersing said biologically interfaced electrode in a solution comprising conducting monomer;   polymerizing said monomer on said biologically interfaced electrode by inserting a second electrically conductive substrate into said solution and applying a current to said first and second electrically conductive substrates for a sufficient time to coat the biologically interfaced electrode with conductive polymer; and   removing most or all of said template biological component from the conductive polymer to expose a surface formed by the template biological component.   
     
     
         56 . A biologically integrated bioelectrode device comprising said biological component-templated electrode of  claim 55  and at least one biological component, said bioelectrode device obtainable by a method comprising contacting said at least one biological component with said surface to form the biologically integrated bioelectrode device.