Silk-Chromophore Composite Materials for In Situ Oxygen Sensing

Silk-based Materials for Oxygen Sensing (T002586)

• Background

Monitoring tissue oxygenation in vivo is critical for wound healing, organ transplants, and oncology. However, current sensors face two major hurdles:

1. Most sensors require secondary surgery for removal, increasing patient risk and healthcare costs.
2. Traditional materials can trigger immune responses or "scarring," which blocks the sensor from getting accurate readings from the surrounding tissue.

• Core technology

Researchers have developed a silk-based phosphorescent sensor to continuously monitor tissue oxygenation in vivo that acts as a living part of the patient's tissue before harmlessly resorbing into the body. The main features of this technology are:

1.         Biomimetic Silk Matrix: silk protein as a biocompatible housing that integrates with the body's cells.

2.         Engineered Porosity: The sensor is designed with a sponge-like structure that allows tissue to grow into it, ensuring ultra-accurate, real-time oxygen data.

3.         Glow-in-the-Dark Diagnostics: specialized light-sensitive molecules (phosphorescent chromophores) are utilized to signal oxygen levels through the skin without invasive wires.

• Key Advantages:
  • Bioresorbable: No removal surgery required. The sensor dissolves naturally, improving patient comfort and reducing hospital stays.
  • High Sensitivity: Detects even minute deviations in oxygen (e.g., hyperoxia), allowing for early intervention before complications turn critical.
  • Tunable Lifespan: The degradation time can be customized to match the specific recovery window of a patient (from days to weeks).
  • Tissue-Integrating: Prevents the "foreign body response," ensuring the sensor remains accurate for the duration of its life.
• Applications:
  • Post-Surgical Monitoring: Real-time tracking of flap or graft health to prevent tissue death (ischemia)
  • Smart Bandages: Advanced wound care for chronic conditions like diabetic ulcers.
  • Regenerative Medicine: Monitoring the "breath" of engineered tissues as they grow and integrate.
  • Sports & Performance: Potential for non-invasive monitoring of muscle oxygenation during recovery.

• IP filing(s): US Patent Application 18/823,853 (T002586, co-owned with USAF)
• Publication(s): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37643490/
• Case Manager: Chiara Vannucci - chiara.vannucci@tufts.edu