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Updated: Jun 1, 2025
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Implantation and Control of Wireless, Battery-free Systems for Peripheral Nerve Interfacing
Published on: October 20, 2021
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Engineering a wirelessly self-powered neural scaffold based on primary battery principle to accelerate nerve cell
Huixing Li1, Xiong Shuai2, Yanyan Chen3
1State Key Laboratory of Precision Manufacturing for Extreme Service Performance, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|January 17, 2025
Summary
This study presents a self-powered nerve scaffold using a primary battery principle. The innovative scaffold promotes nerve regeneration and offers antibacterial properties without external wires or power.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Neuroscience
- Bioelectronics
Background:
- Electrical stimulation shows promise for nerve regeneration but is limited by wires and external power.
- Developing self-powered, implantable devices is crucial for advancing therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a self-powered nerve scaffold for enhanced nerve regeneration.
- To investigate the scaffold's ability to promote neuronal function and provide antibacterial properties.
Main Methods:
- A gradient-printed nerve scaffold was fabricated using laser additive manufacturing.
- Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) with Ag2O and Zn nanoparticles formed electrodes, with PLLA/PPy as the conductive segment.
- The scaffold operated on a primary battery principle, generating electricity in simulated body fluid.
Main Results:
- The scaffold generated a current of 17.2 μA, significantly increasing calcium ion influx (14-fold).
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of neuronal marker MAP2 increased by 24-fold, indicating enhanced neuronal differentiation.
- The scaffold exhibited high antibacterial rates against E. coli (92.6%) and S. aureus (91.9%).
Conclusions:
- The self-powered nerve scaffold effectively promotes nerve regeneration and neuronal marker expression.
- The integrated antibacterial properties enhance its therapeutic potential for nerve repair.
- This technology offers a promising, wire-free solution for electrical stimulation in nerve regeneration therapies.
