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Spotlight Publication: “A wireless implantable sensory ring for continuous airway stent migration tracking” published in npj Flexible Electronics

Jun 1, 2026, 2:48 PM

A. Schematic illustration of a sensory ring bonded to an airway stent, a wearable magnetic field generator mounted on a human chest for monitoring stent migration within the human trachea. B. More detailed illustration of the wearable magnetic field generator mounted on the human body, showing the external magnet as the magnetic field source, the remote charging unit, the sensor-integrated airway stent inside the trachea, the global coordinate, and the local coordinate of the system. C. Optical images of the sensory ring before and after mechanical deformation. D. Simulated magnetic field distribution on the plane z = 0 mm. Colored arrows indicate magnetic flux direction; the red dashed line marks  x = 47.5 mm. E. Simulated magnetic field strength along the line x = 47.5 mm, generated by two N42 magnets (25 mm × 25 mm ×25 mm) positioned 3.5 cm away. F. Schematic illustration of a sensory ring bonded to an airway stent, a wearable magnetic field generator, and a mobile device for monitoring stent migration within the human trachea. Created with BioRender.com.
A. Schematic illustration of a sensory ring bonded to an airway stent, a wearable magnetic field generator mounted on a human chest for monitoring stent migration within the human trachea. B. More detailed illustration of the wearable magnetic field generator mounted on the human body, showing the external magnet as the magnetic field source, the remote charging unit, the sensor-integrated airway stent inside the trachea, the global coordinate, and the local coordinate of the system. C. Optical images of the sensory ring before and after mechanical deformation. D. Simulated magnetic field distribution on the plane z = 0 mm. Colored arrows indicate magnetic flux direction; the red dashed line marks  x = 47.5 mm. E. Simulated magnetic field strength along the line x = 47.5 mm, generated by two N42 magnets (25 mm × 25 mm ×25 mm) positioned 3.5 cm away. F. Schematic illustration of a sensory ring bonded to an airway stent, a wearable magnetic field generator, and a mobile device for monitoring stent migration within the human trachea. Created with BioRender.com.

Ruijian Ge HeadshotCongratulations to Ruijian Ge and team members in the Dong lab! Ruijian Ge is currently a 2nd-year PhD student of Mechanical Engineering in the Miniature Robotics Lab leaded by Prof. Xiaoguang Dong. Ruijian’s article “A wireless implantable sensory ring for continuous airway stent migration tracking” has been selected as a VINSE spotlight publication.

Airway stents play a vital role in managing central airway obstruction (CAO) caused by lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases by providing structural support to collapsed airways and restoring airflow. However, complications such as stent migration often require urgent medical intervention, and early monitoring is essential to reduce the risk. Regular monitoring through bronchoscopy requires anesthesia in the hospital, which causes discomfort and an economic burden on patients. Computed tomography involves radiation exposure and lacks the ability to provide continuous, real-time feedback outside of hospital settings.

Here, we report a fundamental mechanism for wireless tracking based on magnetic fields in a wirelessly powered sensory ring integrated onto an airway stent. The sensory ring is designed for continuous, real-time monitoring of stent position and orientation. This sensory ring, integrating an on-board magnetic sensor and a wearable magnetic field generation system, enables accurate localization by detecting externally generated magnetic fields. The sensory ring is powered wirelessly via a charging coil, ensuring long-term operation. Our system achieves a tracking accuracy of 0.5 mm and 2.2 degrees, with a temporal resolution of 0.2 Hz. Beyond migration monitoring, the sensor also detects airway deformation, offering the potential to sense pathological changes associated with lung cancer and other pulmonary conditions. By eliminating the need for radiation-based imaging or bronchoscopy, this approach enables safe, long-term surveillance of stent patency and surrounding tissue conditions. The proposed sensing mechanism and platform are also adaptable to other organs, such as the esophagus, for monitoring stent migration and deformation.

Ge, R., Wang, Y., Negron, C.Ìýet al.ÌýA wireless implantable sensory ring for continuous airway stent migration tracking.Ìýnpj Flex ElectronÌý10, 25 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-025-00526-0

 

 

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