Soft subdermal implant capable of wireless battery charging and programmable controls for applications in optogenetics

Abstract

Optogenetics is a powerful technique that allows target-specific spatiotemporal manipulation of neuronal activity for dissection of neural circuits and therapeutic interventions. Recent advances in wireless optogenetics technologies have enabled investigation of brain circuits in more natural conditions by releasing animals from tethered optical fibers. However, current wireless implants, which are largely based on battery-powered or battery-free designs, still limit the full potential of in vivo optogenetics in freely moving animals by requiring intermittent battery replacement or a special, bulky wireless power transfer system for continuous device operation, respectively. To address these limitations, here we present a wirelessly rechargeable, fully implantable, soft optoelectronic system that can be remotely and selectively controlled using a smartphone. Combining advantageous features of both battery-powered and battery-free designs, this device system enables seamless full implantation into animals, reliable ubiquitous operation, and intervention-free wireless charging, all of which are desired for chronic in vivo optogenetics. Successful demonstration of the unique capabilities of this device in freely behaving rats forecasts its broad and practical utilities in various neuroscience research and clinical applications.

Photomechanical Polymer Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery Devices

“…An interesting feature of our DDDs is that they can be classified among those working with light guided technologies, e.g., fiber optics and other waveguide devices. These are currently used in different areas of medicine such as optogenetics and photodynamic or interstitial therapies [ 52 , 53 ]. Thus, the combination of these light guided technologies with our DDDs could provide synergistic benefits that could enable localized medical treatments.…”

Advances in Implantable Optogenetic Technology for Cardiovascular Research and Medicine

“…Conventional means of long-term or sustained light delivery in genetically engineered animals have relied on lasers or rigid optical fibers held in place with glues, cements, sutures, and external fixtures (Gutruf and Rogers, 2018). However, these physical tethers impose strict limitations on animal movements and lack controlled scalability for in vivo studies (Kim et al, 2021). For cardiac optogenetic applications such as chronic pacing or programmed termination of arrhythmias, wireless devices offer unprecedented flexibility as a minimally invasive therapeutic option.…”

“…Current wireless technologies are largely either batterypowered or battery-free (Kim et al, 2021). Both technologies offer stable, stand-alone power supplies, but those that are able to function without batteries (such as near-field inductive power transfer or far-field radio-frequency circuits) obviate the need for intermittent battery replacements.…”

Energy-Efficient Integrated Circuit Solutions Toward Miniaturized Closed-Loop Neural Interface Systems

“…Therefore, neural stimulation devices have been developed for clinical and research purposes. In Figure 2, recent FIGURE 2 | State of the art implant neural stimulation systems: (A) Argus II Retinal prosthesis implant operate (Farvardin et al, 2018); (B) Cochlear Contour TM cochlear implant system (Parkinson et al, 2002); (C) Closed-loop pacemaker of Biotronik (Biotronik, aker); (D) Responsive neurostimulator (RNS) system of NeuroPace (Sun et al, 2008); (E) Abiliti closed-loop gastric stimulator (Horbach et al, 2015); (F) Evoke closed-loop spinal cord stimulation system (Russo et al, 2018); (G) Wireless optical peripheral stimulation system for bladder control (Mickle et al, 2019); (H) Fully chip-type implanted optical DBS system through the combination of wireless rechargeable battery and stimulator (Kim et al, 2021).…”

“…Optical stimulation requires genetic modification of specific cell types for the formation of light-sensitive ion channels on the cell types. By modulating (excitation or inhibition) activity of the particular cell types using light via small form factor light sources such as micro-LEDs, optical stimulation can increase cell selectivity (Mickle et al, 2019;Kim et al, 2021).…”