Soft, stretchable, fully implantable miniaturized optoelectronic systems for wireless optogenetics

Abstract

Optogenetics allows rapid, temporally specific control of neuronal activity via targeted expression and activation of light-sensitive proteins. Implementation typically requires remote light sources and fiber-optic delivery schemes that impose significant physical constraints on natural behaviors. In this report we bypass these limitations using novel technologies that combine thin, mechanically soft neural interfaces with fully implantable, stretchable wireless radio power and control systems. The resulting devices achieve optogenetic modulation of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system. This is demonstrated with two form factors; stretchable film appliques that interface directly with peripheral nerves, and flexible filaments that insert into the narrow confines of the spinal epidural space. These soft, thin devices are minimally invasive, and histological tests suggest they can be used in chronic studies. We demonstrate the power of this technology by modulating peripheral and spinal pain circuitry, providing evidence for the potential widespread use of these devices in research and future clinical applications of optogenetics outside the brain.

Inorganic semiconducting materials for flexible and stretchable electronics

“…6b (left). 89 This antenna not only reduces by nearly two orders of magnitude the overall volume and weight of the complete system compared to originally reported designs, but it also supports broad bandwidth operation to enhance the reliability of operation. The soft interface allows implantation in locations where fixturing to hard, bony structures is not possible, such as underneath the leg muscles for optogenetic stimulation of a peripheral nerve, as in Fig.…”

Taking Electrons out of Bioelectronics: From Bioprotonic Transistors to Ion Channels

“…Batteries with biocompatible materials are used for giving energy to these systems 27. Other approaches, such as optogenetics use light triggered ion channels expressed in cell membranes to manipulate cell function 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. These innovative devices open up a window to study biological processes and improve current biomedical tools and techniques 13…”

Surface evolution and stability transition of silicon wafer subjected to nano-diamond grinding

“…And the inorganic chips used in flexible electronic system [3][4][5][6][7][8] should be thinned to micro-membranes of thickness about 15µm to improve the mechanical flexibility of devices to adapt to arbitrary curved objects. [9][10][11][12][13] Commercially available wafers have thickness of several hundreds of micrometers, so the wafers thus need to be thinned for new applications. Diamond grinding has been recognized as an irreplaceable thinning technique to obtain thinned wafers with good performance for applications in optics, electronics, bio-technology, medicine and flexible electronics.…”