Triggerable materials capable of being degraded by selective stimuli stand to transform our capacity to precisely control biomedical device activity and performance while reducing the need for invasive interventions. Here, we describe the development of a modular and tunable light-triggerable hydrogel system capable of interfacing with implantable devices. We apply these materials to two applications in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract: a bariatric balloon and an esophageal stent. We demonstrate biocompatibility and on-demand triggering of the material in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Moreover, we characterize performance of the system in a porcine large animal model with an accompanying ingestible LED. Light-triggerable hydrogels have the potential to be applied broadly throughout the GI tract and other anatomic areas. By demonstrating the first use of light-degradable hydrogels in vivo, we provide biomedical engineers and clinicians with a previously unavailable, safe, dynamically deliverable, and precise tool to design dynamically actuated implantable devices.

中文翻译：

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可光降解的水凝胶可作为胃肠道应用的动态触发剂。

能够被选择性刺激降解的可触发材料将改变我们精确控制生物医学设备活动和性能的能力，同时减少对侵入性干预的需求。在这里，我们描述了模块化和可调光触发水凝胶系统的开发，该系统能够与可植入设备接口。我们将这些材料应用于胃肠道（GI）的两种应用：减肥球囊和食道支架。我们展示了该材料在体外，离体和体内的生物相容性和按需触发。此外，我们通过附带的可摄入LED表征了该系统在猪大型动物模型中的性能。可光触发的水凝胶具有在胃肠道和其他解剖区域广泛应用的潜力。