Soft, wireless and subdermally implantable recording and neuromodulation tools

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Implantable Devices

Background:

• Understanding neural circuits requires advanced tools for recording and stimulation.
• Current tethered devices limit subject mobility and natural behaviors, restricting research scope.
• Existing technologies hinder studies in social interactions and complex environments, and exclude many species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review state-of-the-art wireless, subdermally implantable tools for neural analysis and perturbation.
• To explore strategies for power harvesting, wireless communication, and soft materials in these devices.
• To discuss the capabilities of these tools for freely-behaving subjects.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on wireless, implantable neural interfaces.
• Analysis of power harvesting strategies (e.g., battery-free operation).
• Examination of wireless communication schemes and soft material applications.

Main Results:

• Wireless, fully implantable devices offer tether-free operation for neural recording and stimulation.
• Capabilities include cell-specific recording and multimodal neuromodulation (electrical, optogenetic, pharmacological).
• These tools enhance analysis and perturbation of the central and peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Conclusions:

• Wireless, implantable neural tools significantly expand research capabilities for freely-behaving subjects.
• These technologies promise to overcome limitations of tethered systems.
• Further translation of these technologies will enable broader dissemination and application.