Chapter 13. Polymers/PEDOT Derivatives for Bioelectronics

The advancement of bioelectronics depends greatly on new material development and engineering solutions. Redox polymers are promising candidates to contribute to this advancement of biointerfacing devices. For such devices to be clinically useful, they must fulfill an assortment of requirements, including biocompatibility, stability, mechanical compliancy and the ability to effectively monitor or influence biological systems. The use of redox polymers in bioelectronic research has demonstrated a great deal of potential in satisfying these constraints. In this chapter, we consider the advantageous aspects of polymer electronics for biomedical applications including electrophysiological recording, neuromodulation, biosensor technologies and drug delivery. Particular emphasis is given to PEDOT-based systems as these have demonstrated the highest degree of bioelectronic device success to date, however, other polymers are also discussed when pertinent.