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Flexible Conducting Polymer Electrodes for Selective Stimulation of Small Sensory Fibers in Humans

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Velasco‐Bosom, Santiago  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7723-2553
Han, Sanggil 
Malliaras, George G  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4582-8501

Abstract

jats:titleAbstract</jats:title>jats:pSmall‐fiber neuropathy (SFN), a pathology caused by severe loss of free‐endings of unmyelinated sensory nerves, is difficult to diagnose and monitor. The use of cutaneous electrical stimulation as a diagnostic tool is hampered by the fact that the injected current penetrates deep into the skin and stimulates many other receptors. Interdigitated electrodes are recently proposed to control the depth of current penetration and selectively address small‐fibers. Here, flexible and adhesive interdigitated electrodes made of Au coated with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) are developed, that conform comfortably and reliably to human skin. It is shown that the PEDOT:PSS coating improves safety by significantly reducing the voltage required to inject current. The selectivity of the device is assessed by showing that it elicits a significantly slower reaction time than commercial cutaneous electrophysiology electrodes, as it exclusively activates unmyelinated fibers. The device is further evaluated on volunteers that undergo local capsaicin treatment to induce temporary loss of the nerve endings of small‐fibers. Pre‐ and post‐treatment electrical stimulation of the affected area with the device reveals impaired sensory detection that is not observed with commercial cutaneous electrophysiology electrodes. These results represent a significant step towards the use of electrical stimulation as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for SFN.</jats:p>

Description

Funder: Beijing Institute of Collaborative Innovation

Keywords

Research Article, Research Articles, cutaneous electrophysiology, electrical stimulation, organic bioelectronics, small‐fiber neuropathy

Journal Title

Advanced Materials Technologies

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2365-709X
2365-709X

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
German Research Foundation (GU 2073/1‐1)
Sir Jules Thorn charitable trust (233838)