LAUSR

The imaging of hydrogel scaffolds by 19 F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents an attractive tool for straightforward and non-invasive monitoring their morphology and in vivo fate. However, their further applications were significantly limited by a dilemma of insufficient signal resolution with low 19 F content, and/or hydrophobic aggregation of fluorine moieties induced signal attenuation with high 19 F content. Herein, a novel label-free fluorinated hydrogel (PFCB) was fabricated with high fluorine content to realize non-invasive monitoring through 19 F MRI under ultrahigh scanning resolution (1 mm of scanning thickness). The integration of zwitterionic unit into each fluorine moiety completely overcame the hydrophobic aggregation induced signal attenuation, manifesting as high 19 F content and imaging performance. Importantly, 3D reconstruction of the PFCB hydrogel in vivo could be facilely and accurately performed with background free signals, providing detailed biological information of the implanted hydrogel. Additionally, PFCB hydrogel showed adjustable and high mechanical performance, and exhibited minimum foreign body reaction after implantation. As a proof of concept, PFCB hydrogel could be further applied as gel electrodes and wireless flexible sensors for healthcare monitoring. Overall, such label-free fluorinated PFCB hydrogel is an ideal flexible scaffold for eventual clinical applications integrating 19 F MRI-guided unequivocally 3D reconstruction and healthcare monitoring. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.