Neurosensory Prosthetics: An Integral Neuromodulation Part of Bioelectronic Device

Abstract

Bioelectronic medicines (BEMs) constitute a branch of bioelectronic devices (BEDs), which are a class of therapeutics that combine neuroscience with molecular biology, immunology, and engineering technologies. Thus, BEMs are the culmination of thought processes of scientists of varied fields and herald a new era in the treatment of chronic diseases. BEMs work on the principle of neuromodulation of nerve stimulation. Examples of BEMs based on neuromodulation are those that modify neural circuits through deep brain stimulation, vagal nerve stimulation, spinal nerve stimulation, and retinal and auditory implants. BEDs may also serve as diagnostic tools by mimicking human sensory systems. Two examples of in vitro BEDs used as diagnostic agents in biomedical applications based on in vivo neurosensory circuits are the bioelectronic nose and bioelectronic tongue. The review discusses the ever-growing application of BEDs to a wide variety of health conditions and practices to improve the quality of life.

Wearable and implantable bioelectronics as eco‐friendly and patient‐friendly integrated nanoarchitectonics for next‐generation smart healthcare technology

“…In addition, the selectivity of bioelectronics as a sensor for disease biomarkers can be improved by using various types of bioreceptors, such as antibodies, aptamers, and peptides/proteins, improving the potential for bioelectronic systems to be applied to healthcare 132–139 . Last, the mixture of gases and vapors of human breath has potential as a completely noninvasive and safe target for health diagnosis and monitoring 140,141 . By detecting volatile biomarkers present in the breath, follow‐up for a patient's health can be assessed 9 …”

“…[132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139] Last, the mixture of gases and vapors of human breath has potential as a completely noninvasive and safe target for health diagnosis and monitoring. 140,141 By detecting volatile biomarkers present in the breath, follow-up for a patient's health can be assessed. 9 2.1.4 | Bioelectronics in healthcare: Stimulation, actuation, and therapeutics Bioelectronic systems, especially implantable bioelectronics, have extensive applications in many diseases that are caused by dormant or aberrant neural networks.…”

Flexible and Stretchable Bioelectronics

“…Bioelectronic devices also include devices that work on the principle of neuromodulation, which modify neural signals via deep-brain stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, spinal nerve stimulation, and retinal and auditory implants [ 19 ]. Koopman et al reported that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) inhibits tumor necrosis factor, an inflammatory molecule that is a major therapeutic target in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and which attenuates disease severity [ 20 ].…”

“…These devices consist of a receiver, transmitting coil, and an electrode array that stimulate the retina to induce vision in patients with retinal degeneration [ 24 ]. Auditory implant types, such as cochlear implants and auditory brainstem implants (ABIs), have a neuromodulatory function [ 19 ]. Cochlear implants stimulate auditory nerve fibers via electrodes implanted in the cochlea to help patients with sensorineural hearing loss using functional auditory nerve fibers.…”

In vivo neuromodulation of animal behavior with organic semiconducting oligomers

“…Bioresorbable and transient electronics, with tunable degradation properties, obviated potential adverse effects of chronic implants and the need for follow-up procedure ( 5 ). Despite the giant technological advances and the deployment of many devices in the clinical environment, there are still challenges to bridge the gap between the full potential of neuroelectronic interfaces and their translation into broad clinical practice ( 6 ). Major existing issues are related to methods that enable natural integration of electronic components into neuronal tissue, the timescale of activity, the long-term stability for extended recordings, which would ideally cover the entire adult life of animals, and the availability of models to test in vivo neurostimulation or neuromodulatory action of bioelectronic interfaces ( 7 , 8 ).…”