Freeing the Animal Model: A Modular, Wirelessly Powered, Implantable Electronic Platform.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Animal Models

Background:

• Developing fully implantable electronic devices for freely roaming animal models is resource-intensive.
• Miniaturized microcontrollers and wireless power technology offer new possibilities for cost-efficient device development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a low-cost, rechargeable, fully implantable electronic device for chronic nerve stimulation.
• To demonstrate the utility of this platform in freely roaming rats for over 4 weeks.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a commercially available, open-source, wirelessly powered microcontroller.
• Customized the device with miniature sensors and actuators for nerve stimulation.
• Demonstrated wireless data transfer and recharging over 4 weeks in rats.

Main Results:

• Device assembly cost $115 and took 2 hours.
• Wireless charging and data transfer were achieved within 30 minutes without harmful heat.
• Enabled chronic cathodic pulse stimulation of the facial nerve at programmed frequencies for 4+ weeks.

Conclusions:

• This implantable electronic platform is a cost-efficient, customizable solution for chronic nerve stimulation in animal models.
• The technology can be further miniaturized and adapted for diverse biomedical research questions.