Abstract: Sensor electrodes are fabricated in situ within or on a surface of a medical device. For example, a catheter can have a lumen extending between first and second longitudinal ends of the catheter. A patterning mold can be inserted into the lumen via the first longitudinal end of the catheter such that first and second surface portions of the lumen are exposed from the patterning mold and remaining surface portions of the lumen are covered by and in contact with the patterning mold. A first electrode layer can be formed on the first and second surface portions exposed from the patterning mold using electroless deposition. After the forming, the patterning mold can be removed from the lumen. Additional electrode layers can be formed on the first electrode layer, for example, via electroplating. In some embodiments, the electrode layers can be used for detection of bacterial biofilm growth.

Abstract: A microneedle system includes an ingestible structure and one or more microneedle units secured to a surface of the structure. Each microneedle unit has a plurality of barb members extending from the outer surface of a microneedle. The microneedle unit is secured to the structure by a displacement member, which displaces the microneedle unit when in a released state. The displacement member may be held in a compressed state by a dissolvable coating.