Biodegradable ultrasound contrast tape for tracing intestinal motility

Ye Tian, Yueying Yang, Jiaxin Wang, Na Li, Zhangqi Pan, Yuli Li, Mengyuan Zhou, Yizhou Huang, Xiaofeng Zhang, Yang Yu, Haotian Lei, Jie Chen, Wei Wang, Ye Yuan, Xiaohuan Lu, Zhaokai Du, Xurui Liu, Lejie Qin, Xinwu Cui, Hanchuan Tang () and Jianfeng Zang ()
Additional contact information
Ye Tian: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yueying Yang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Jiaxin Wang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Na Li: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Zhangqi Pan: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yuli Li: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Mengyuan Zhou: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yizhou Huang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Xiaofeng Zhang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yang Yu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Haotian Lei: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Jie Chen: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Wei Wang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Ye Yuan: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Xiaohuan Lu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Zhaokai Du: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Xurui Liu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Lejie Qin: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Xinwu Cui: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Hanchuan Tang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Jianfeng Zang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Postoperative complications such as intestinal motility disorders and obstructions require regular monitoring following small intestine resection. While imaging techniques like MRI and CT offer high-resolution visualization of internal organs, their use is limited by the need for trained operators and constraints on frequent monitoring. Ultrasonography, although capable of continuous imaging of deep tissues, is challenged by the weak acoustic reflections from soft intestinal tissue. In this work, we present a biodegradable ultrasound contrast tape (BioUCT) designed for robust, conformal adhesion to the intestinal surface to enable high-contrast ultrasound imaging. The soft BioUCT has a strong ultrasound reflection (>90%), generated from periodic air cells sealed in tough hydrogels. The BioUCT achieved ultrasound contrast imaging of the small intestine for 2 weeks and degraded naturally within 12 weeks in a live pig, enabling the regular and wireless monitoring of postoperative intestinal motility.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63310-8

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