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Miniature battery-free epidural cortical stimulators
Joshua E Woods1, Amanda L Singer2,3, Fatima Alrashdan1
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
Science Advances
|April 12, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a miniaturized, battery-free cortical stimulator powered wirelessly. This device enables on-demand neuromodulation with high reliability for potential clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Miniaturized neuromodulation systems offer improved safety and reduced invasiveness.
- Powering small implantable bioelectronic devices long-term via batteries is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a battery-free, miniaturized epidural cortical stimulator for on-demand neuromodulation.
- To demonstrate wireless power transfer and stimulation capabilities for cortical activity.
Main Methods:
- A 9mm wide epidural cortical stimulator utilizing magnetoelectric antennas for wireless power reception.
- Digitally programmable stimulation output with centimeter-scale alignment tolerances.
- Testing in human patients for acute motor cortex activation and in a porcine model for chronic activation.
Main Results:
- The device successfully delivered 14.5-volt stimulation bursts wirelessly through the dura.
- Demonstrated acute motor cortex activation in human patients.
- Achieved reliable chronic motor cortex activation for 30 days in a porcine model.
Conclusions:
- The developed battery-free cortical stimulator is a viable platform for precise neuromodulation.
- Enables simpler surgical procedures for bioelectronic therapies.
- Wireless power transfer overcomes battery limitations in miniaturized implants.
