Search

To prevent surgical site infection (SSI), which significantly increases the rate morbidity and mortality, eliminating microorganisms is prominent. Antimicrobial resistance is identified as a global health challenge. This work proposes a new strategy to eliminate microorganisms of deep tissue through electrical stimulation with an ultrasound (US)‐driven implantable, biodegradable, and vibrant triboelectric nanogenerator (IBV‐TENG). After a programmed lifetime, the IBV‐TENG can be eliminated by provoking the on‐demand device dissolution by controlling US intensity with no surgical removal of the device from the body. A voltage of ≈4 V and current of ≈22 µA generated from IBV‐TENG under ultrasound in vitro, confirming inactivating ≈100% of Staphylococcus aureus and ≈99% of Escherichia coli. Furthermore, ex vivo results show that IBV‐TENG implanted under porcine tissue successfully inactivates bacteria. This antibacterial technology is expected to be a countermeasure strategy against SSIs, increasing life expectancy and healthcare quality by preventing microorganisms of deep tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implantable electrical neurostimulators offer a promising avenue for treating neurological disorders. However, their dependency on a finite battery life limits their long‐term utility. Emerging transcutaneous ultrasound‐driven triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) techniques provide solutions for converting external ultrasound waves into internal electricity. This study proposes an implantable ultrasound‐driven TENG (IU‐TENG) using polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for its exceptional stability inside a human body and acoustic impedance compatibility with human tissues. This IU‐TENG remarkably surpasses traditional titanium‐based encapsulation, resulting in a 99.94% efficiency in ultrasound transmission. In addition, PEEK contains numerous electron‐donating functional groups, making it suitable for TENG applications, particularly as a positive triboelectric layer. The device exhibits robust voltage outputs, reaching up to 11.50 and 8.75 V in water and in vivo, respectively, under body‐safe ultrasound intensities. Moreover, its ability to sustain a stable electrical output for over 300 min emphasizes the durability and mechanical resilience of PEEK. In vivo mouse models and ex vivo porcine tissue trials demonstrate the effectiveness of the IU‐TENG in nerve stimulation, showing its potential in medical treatments, enhancing the functionality and longevity of implantable medical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]