For implantable health monitoring devices, it is important that the implant’s materials are able to
break down inside the body without harming the user. With the end goal of creating a wireless health
device that controls contraction of urinary sphincters, we researched and tested potential materials that
both have the necessary electrical properties and break down in the body as needed. In particular, we
examined the electrical resistance properties of conductive inks on polymer films, and we used these
materials to create a prototype for an artificial sphincter that expands/contracts in response to an electrical
signal.
