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Vagus nerve stimulation using a miniaturized wirelessly powered stimulator in pigs.
Iman Habibagahi1, Mahmoud Omidbeigi2, Joseph Hadaya3,4,5
1Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. ihabibagahi@g.ucla.edu.
Scientific Reports
|May 17, 2022
Summary
This study demonstrates the first wireless, batteryless vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in pigs, achieving over 5cm range. The new implant offers comparable heart rate reduction to conventional systems, paving the way for advanced neuromodulation therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Peripheral nerve neuromodulation is used for various medical conditions.
- Wireless, batteryless implants eliminate reoperation needs and extend device lifespan.
- Current limitations include trade-offs between device size and operational range.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the functionality of novel wirelessly powered and controlled implants for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in pigs.
- To assess the performance and safety of a new wireless VNS device.
Main Methods:
- A newly designed, wirelessly powered and controlled implant utilizing 13.56 MHz near-field inductive coupling was tested.
- The circular implant (13 mm diameter, 483 mg) featured cuff electrodes and optimized inductive link efficiency.
- VNS was performed in three adult pigs, with 84 stimulations (10s each) delivered wirelessly.
Main Results:
- The wireless VNS system demonstrated an operational range exceeding 5 cm in pigs.
- Specific absorption rate was significantly below safety limits, requiring only 0.1 W external power.
- Heart rate reduction efficiency (78.5%) was comparable to conventional VNS systems (75%).
Conclusions:
- Wireless and batteryless VNS is feasible in a large animal model with a significant operational range.
- The developed technology shows comparable efficacy to conventional systems and offers a promising foundation for future wirelessly powered implantable devices.
