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Adaptive self-healing electronic epineurium for chronic bidirectional neural interfaces
Kang-Il Song1,2, Hyunseon Seo1,3, Duhwan Seong4
1Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
Nature Communications
|August 23, 2020
Summary
We developed an adaptive self-healing electronic epineurium (A-SEE) for peripheral nerve disorders. This novel neural interface offers stress-free, strain-insensitive electronic-nerve connections, improving clinical applications for neurological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Neuroengineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Clinical-grade electronic medicine for peripheral nerve disorders requires materials that mimic nerve mechanics.
- Existing neural interfaces face challenges due to mechanical mismatch and complex implantation procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel neural interface platform, the adaptive self-healing electronic epineurium (A-SEE).
- To create a soft, stretchable, and self-healing electronic epineurium for improved nerve adaptation and reduced surgical complexity.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of intrinsically stretchable and self-healable insulating/conducting materials.
- Development of biofluid-resistant self-locking capabilities through dynamic stress relaxation and waterproof self-bonding.
- In vivo implantation and testing in a rat sciatic nerve model for neural signal recording and stimulation.
Main Results:
- The A-SEE forms compressive stress-free and strain-insensitive electronics-nerve interfaces.
- The material demonstrated facile biofluid-resistant self-locking, eliminating the need for sutures or glue.
- Bidirectional neural signal recording and stimulation were achieved in rats for 14 weeks, with minimal silver leakage observed.
Conclusions:
- The A-SEE platform offers autonomous mechanical adaptability, reducing mechanical mismatch and associated immune responses or device failure.
- This self-healing, adaptive neural interface significantly simplifies microneurosurgery.
- The A-SEE represents a promising implantable platform for electronic medicine in treating neurological disorders.
