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Implantable soft bladder-machine interface for neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

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Title: Implantable soft bladder-machine interface for neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
Authors: Li H; Neural Engineering Centre, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.; School of Airspace Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Weihai, China.; Weihai Research Institute of Industrial Technology of Shandong University, Weihai, China., Wang S; Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.; Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China., Yu Q; Neural Engineering Centre, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China., Zhao H; Neural Engineering Centre, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China., Tang Z; School of Management Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, China., Lv L; Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.; Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China., Han F; Neural Engineering Centre, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China., Yang R; Neural Engineering Centre, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China., Zhao Y; Neural Engineering Centre, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China., Fu Z; College of Mechanics and Engineering Science, Hohai University, Nanjing, China., Shi B; Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.; Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China., Li G; Neural Engineering Centre, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China., Wang C; School of Mechanics and Construction Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China., Zhang J; School of Mechanics and Construction Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China., Song K; School of Airspace Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Weihai, China. songkaikai@sdu.edu.cn., Li Y; Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China. yanli@sdu.edu.cn.; Key Laboratory of Urinary Precision Diagnosis and Treatment in Universities of Shandong, Jinan, China. yanli@sdu.edu.cn., Liu Z; Neural Engineering Centre, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China. zy.liu1@siat.ac.cn.; The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging Science and System, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China. zy.liu1@siat.ac.cn.; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Multimodality Non-Invasive Brain-Computer Interfaces, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China. zy.liu1@siat.ac.cn.; Centre for Neurocognition and Social Behavior, Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, China. zy.liu1@siat.ac.cn.
Source: Nature communications [Nat Commun] 2026 Mar 16; Vol. 17 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Mar 16.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Nature Pub. Group Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101528555 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2041-1723 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20411723 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Nat Commun Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: [London] : Nature Pub. Group
MeSH Terms: Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic*/therapy , Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic*/physiopathology , Urinary Bladder*/physiopathology , Electric Stimulation Therapy*/instrumentation , Electric Stimulation Therapy*/methods , Prostheses and Implants*, Animals ; Rats ; Electromyography ; Female ; Electric Stimulation ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Disease Models, Animal
Abstract: Neurogenic bladder dysfunction impairs bladder sensation and contraction, causing severe renal complications. The bladder's large isotropic expansion hinders the development of implantable bioelectronic devices for monitoring and electrical stimulation. Addressing this, we report an implantable soft bladder-machine interface (BdMI) that integrates seamlessly with the bladder, providing monitoring and electrical stimulation. This BdMI features a conductive thin film capable of keeping functions under isotropic stretch up to 800%, created without the complex pre-stretching of its elastic substrate. We elucidate its stretchability mechanism and validate the BdMI in rat models, which enables simultaneous intravesical pressure detection, detrusor electromyographic monitoring, and electrical stimulation therapy. Implanted for 7 days, the BdMI operates efficiently and markedly reduces involuntary bladder contraction frequency post-stimulation. These findings validate the potential of BdMI in offering real-time, physiological feedback and electrical stimulation-based regulation for neurogenic bladder pathologies, marking a significant advancement in the field.
(© 2026. The Author(s).)
Competing Interests: Competing interests: H.F.L. and Z.Y.L. are inventors on a Chinese patent application (No. CN202311855354.X). The remaining authors declare no competing interests.
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Grant Information: International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Multimodality Non-Invasive Brain-Computer Interfaces; Shenzhen Science and Technology Program
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260317 Date Completed: 20260711 Latest Revision: 20260813
Update Code: 20260813
PubMed Central ID: PMC12992585
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-70680-0
PMID: 41839891
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-026-70680-0