Devices on biological tissues can provide valuable insights into function, disease, and metabolism through electrical and mechanical signals. However, certain neuromuscular tissues, such as those in the gastrointestinal tract, undergo significant strain of up to 40% when physiologically active. Conventional inextensible devices cannot capture the dynamic responses in these tissues. This study introduces electrodes made from poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) that enable simultaneous monitoring of electrical and mechanical responses of gut tissue. The soft PDMS layers conform to tissue surfaces during gastrointestinal movement. Dopants, including Capstone™ FS-30 and polyethylene glycol, are explored to enhance the conductivity, electrical sensitivity to strain, and stability of the PEDOT:PSS. The devices are fabricated using shadow masks and solution-processing techniques, providing a faster and simpler process than traditional clean-room based lithography. Tested on ex vivo mouse small intestine and human stomach, the device recorded voltage changes of up to 300 µV during contraction and distension consistent with muscle activity, while simultaneously recording resistance changes of up to 150% due to mechanical strain. The devices detected the presence of chemical stimulants and blockers and delivered electrical stimulation to elicit contractions. These stretchable bimodal devices hold great potential for studying correlations between electrophysiological and mechanical responses and could offer insight into the origin, and treatment of, complex disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroparesis.
