Scalable networks of wireless bioelectronics using magnetoelectrics.

Area of Science:

• Bioelectronic Medicine
• Wireless Power Transfer
• Implantable Devices

Background:

• Networks of miniature bioelectronic implants offer precise physiological monitoring and manipulation.
• Wireless power and data transfer to in-body implants face inefficiencies through biological tissues.
• Increasing the number of implants typically exacerbates power transfer inefficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate magnetoelectric wireless data and power transfer for networks of millimeter-sized bioelectronic implants.
• To show that power transfer efficiency improves as the number of implanted devices increases.
• To develop a scalable platform for next-generation electronic medicine.

Main Methods:

• Utilized magnetoelectric wireless technology for data and power transfer.
• Demonstrated networks of 1 to 6 wireless, battery-free bioelectronic implants.
• Tested system performance in large animals with miniature spinal cord stimulators and cardiac pacing devices.

Main Results:

• Achieved a system power transfer efficiency increase from 0.2% to 1.3% with 1 to 6 implants.
• Each implant node received 2.2 mW of power at a 1 cm distance.
• Demonstrated efficient and robust wireless data and power transfer for functional implant networks.

Conclusions:

• Magnetoelectric wireless power transfer enables scalable networks of bioelectronic implants.
• The system's efficiency improves with an increasing number of devices.
• This technology provides a platform for wireless, closed-loop bioelectronic implant networks for advanced medical applications.