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Electrochemically actuated microelectrodes for minimally invasive peripheral nerve interfaces.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Carnicer-Lombarte, Alejandro  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5650-4692
Huang, Botian 
Middya, Sagnik 

Abstract

Electrode arrays that interface with peripheral nerves are used in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders; however, they require complex placement surgeries that carry a high risk of nerve injury. Here we leverage recent advances in soft robotic actuators and flexible electronics to develop highly conformable nerve cuffs that combine electrochemically driven conducting-polymer-based soft actuators with low-impedance microelectrodes. Driven with applied voltages as small as a few hundreds of millivolts, these cuffs allow active grasping or wrapping around delicate nerves. We validate this technology using in vivo rat models, showing that the cuffs form and maintain a self-closing and reliable bioelectronic interface with the sciatic nerve of rats without the use of surgical sutures or glues. This seamless integration of soft electrochemical actuators with neurotechnology offers a path towards minimally invasive intraoperative monitoring of nerve activity and high-quality bioelectronic interfaces.

Description

Keywords

40 Engineering, 4016 Materials Engineering, Neurodegenerative, Neurosciences, Neurological

Journal Title

Nat Mater

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1476-1122
1476-4660

Volume Title

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/S009000/1)
Horizon Europe UKRI Underwrite MSCA (101108375 EP/Y020294/1)

Version History

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
VersionDateSummary
2024-05-06 14:18:27
Published version
1*
2024-04-02 23:31:08
* Selected version