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Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Implantation and Control of Wireless, Battery-free Systems for Peripheral Nerve Interfacing
Published on: October 20, 2021
Neuroimmune-Metabolic Regulation by a Wireless Biodegradable Neuromodulator for Cardiovascular Therapy in a Mouse
Wenyuan Wang1,2,3, Renyuan Sun4, Wenliang Liu4
1Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
Researchers developed a biodegradable vagus nerve stimulator for mice, enabling wireless neuromodulation. This device successfully reduced cardiovascular disease plaque burden by reprogramming the neuroimmune-metabolic axis.
Area of Science:
- Bioelectronic medicine
- Peripheral nerve stimulation
- Cardiovascular disease research
Background:
- Vagus nerve stimulation is a promising strategy for cardiovascular disease treatment.
- Existing neuromodulation devices face challenges with miniaturization and chronic biocompatibility for murine vagus nerve studies.
- Murine models are crucial for studying neuroimmune-metabolic dysregulation in cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, miniaturized, and biodegradable vagus nerve stimulator (UBVS) for wireless neuromodulation in murine models.
- To enable reliable, safe, and long-term stimulation of the delicate murine vagus nerve.
- To investigate the efficacy of UBVS in treating atherosclerosis by modulating the neuroimmune-metabolic axis.
Main Methods:
- Engineered a fully biodegradable triboelectric energy harvester and a self-adherent neural interface for suture-free chronic coupling.
- Utilized focused ultrasound for transcutaneous wireless power delivery and spatiotemporally controlled stimulation.
- Applied chronic UBVS-mediated vagus nerve stimulation in a murine atherosclerosis model.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable, suture-free chronic coupling of the UBVS to the murine vagus nerve without neural injury.
- Demonstrated successful wireless power delivery and precise stimulation of the vagus nerve using focused ultrasound.
- Showcased significant reduction in atherosclerotic plaque burden through UBVS, attributed to suppressed inflammation, enhanced autophagy-efferocytosis, and remodeled lipid metabolism.
Conclusions:
- The developed UBVS provides a neurocompatible and effective solution for long-term, wireless stimulation of delicate peripheral nerves.
- This technology advances electroceutical therapies for cardiovascular diseases and other chronic conditions.
- The study highlights the potential of bioelectronic modulation of the vagus nerve in managing complex diseases.
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