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Noninvasive Stimulation of Peripheral Nerves using Temporally-Interfering Electrical Fields
Boris Botzanowski1, Mary J Donahue2, Malin Silverå Ejneby2
1Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), INSERM, UMR_1106, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|June 25, 2022
Summary
A novel noninvasive peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) method uses temporal interference (TINS) to precisely target nerves. This technique achieves effective nerve activation at lower currents than standard methods, advancing bioelectronic medicine.
Area of Science:
- Bioelectronic Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is crucial for bioelectronic medicine.
- Noninvasive PNS methods without implanted devices are needed for research and clinical use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a noninvasive peripheral nerve stimulation technique using temporal interference.
- To validate this method in vivo and explore its potential for precise nerve targeting.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-frequency sine-wave carriers (3 kHz) from cutaneous electrodes to create temporal interference at deep nerves.
- Validated the temporal interference nerve stimulation (TINS) principle in a murine sciatic nerve model.
- Developed flexible, conformable on-skin multielectrode arrays for precise TINS alignment.
Main Results:
- Achieved effective nerve stimulation at significantly lower current amplitudes compared to standard transcutaneous electrical stimulation.
- Demonstrated precise nerve targeting using TINS with on-skin electrode arrays.
- Validated the TINS principle in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Temporal interference nerve stimulation (TINS) offers a simple, noninvasive approach for precise peripheral nerve activation.
- TINS enables stimulation depth and efficiency previously unattainable with transcutaneous techniques.
- This method repurposes clinically-approved hardware, facilitating translation to clinical applications.
