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A Miniaturized and Flexible Ultrasound-driven Intracranial Brain Stimulator for Neuromodulation Applications
IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering
|May 13, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a miniaturized implantable ultrasound-driven brain stimulator (UIBS) for wireless neuromodulation. The device achieves stable and efficient neural stimulation, overcoming limitations of current battery-dependent and extracranial systems.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Materials Science
Background:
- Conventional brain stimulators require battery replacement surgeries.
- Existing wireless ultrasound stimulators are often extracranial and inefficient.
- There is a need for stable, efficient, and implantable wireless neuromodulation devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a miniaturized, implantable ultrasound-driven intracranial brain stimulator (UIBS).
- To achieve stable and efficient wireless neuromodulation.
- To address the limitations of battery-dependent and extracranial stimulators.
Main Methods:
- Fabricated a flexible UIBS using PVDF-TrFE, an acoustic matching layer, and a rectifier circuit in a PEEK structure.
- Optimized transcranial ultrasound transmission via simulations and experiments.
- Assessed electrical output, safety, neuromodulation efficacy, and biocompatibility in rat models.
Main Results:
- Determined optimal ultrasound frequency at 1.5 MHz.
- Achieved >1.3 V output voltage and >10 seconds safe electrolysis at 100 Hz using 2 MPa ultrasound.
- Demonstrated stable implantation, reliable neural activity evocation, and good biosafety in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel, miniaturized UIBS for effective intracranial energy harvesting.
- Enabled precise neuromodulation wirelessly.
- Overcame key constraints of existing brain stimulation technologies.
