3D-Printable Self-Powered Piezoelectric Smart Stent for Wireless Endoleaks Sensing

In this paper, we present a 3D-printable self-energized smart stent capable of in-situ continuous wireless monitoring of blood flow and pressure in the endovascular aneurysm. We demonstrated the 3D-printing technique to create such a piezoelectric smart stent. The smart stent is made of piezoelectric polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene, which produces charge in response to stress created by mechanical stimuli, such as blood pressure or flow. Here, we evaluated the sensing response due to the change in pressure and flow rate, demonstrating its functionality as a self-powered smart stent. Additionally, a wireless monitoring scheme for detecting endoleaks was demonstrated via an electromagnetic (LC resonator) readout system to retrieve blood pressure information.