The Future of Neuroscience: Flexible and Wireless Implantable Neural Electronics

Abstract

Neurological diseases are a prevalent cause of global mortality and are of growing concern when considering an ageing global population. Traditional treatments are accompanied by serious side effects including repeated treatment sessions, invasive surgeries, or infections. For example, in the case of deep brain stimulation, large, stiff, and battery powered neural probes recruit thousands of neurons with each pulse, and can invoke a vigorous immune response. This paper presents challenges in engineering and neuroscience in developing miniaturized and biointegrated alternatives, in the form of microelectrode probes. Progress in design and topology of neural implants has shifted the goal post toward highly specific recording and stimulation, targeting small groups of neurons and reducing the foreign body response with biomimetic design principles. Implantable device design recommendations, fabrication techniques, and clinical evaluation of the impact flexible, integrated probes will have on the treatment of neurological disorders are provided in this report. The choice of biocompatible material dictates fabrication techniques as novel methods reduce the complexity of manufacture. Wireless power, the final hurdle to truly implantable neural interfaces, is discussed. These aspects are the driving force behind continued research: significant breakthroughs in any one of these areas will revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders.

Self‐powered technology based on nanogenerators for biomedical applications

“…Nerve stimulation refers to using electric pulses that stimulate the specific nerve region for treatment, and it effectively alleviates various symptoms of neurological and psychiatric disorders. [ 126 ] Traditional nerve stimulation therapy is usually accompanied by severe side effects, such as invasive surgeries, repeated treatment sessions, and infections. Meanwhile, implantable flexible electronic devices have attracted extensive attention in clinical applications in virtue of their excellent biocompatibility.…”

Battery‐Free and Wireless Technologies for Cardiovascular Implantable Medical Devices

“…Electromagnetic wireless power transfer is an actively adjustable power strategy that can regulate the input voltage to provide stable and adequate support for the load. This is a promising power solution that uses EM energy between the internal receiver and external transmitter to support various wearable and implantable devices without percutaneous wires and batteries (e.g., contact lens, [109] brain, [110] neural, [111] and cardiovascular medical devices).…”

Research Progress on the Flexibility of an Implantable Neural Microelectrode

“…For some rigid materials, the flexibility can be achieved by reducing the thickness of the material to prepare the ultra-thin plane. These ultra-thin planar electrodes can be attached to the curved surface of the nerve tissue for long-term recording of ECoG, LFP [ 101 ]. Muller et al [ 102 ] fabricated a thin-film, high-density multi-electrode array to record ECoG from the human cortical surface.…”