Without batteries
The first implant powered by magnetic field energy has been created
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
American scientists have developed an implant that can stimulate the brain and nervous system without using batteries or other wired power sources. It can be implanted into a person in a minimally invasive way for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, depression and other diseases.
Article by Singer et al. Magnetoelectric Materials for Miniature, Wireless Neural Stimulation at Therapeutic Frequencies is published in the journal Neuron – VM.
Scientists from Rice University has solved one of the main problems of miniature bioelectronics — they have developed a technology to ensure the operation of a neural stimulator without batteries. A unique approach consists in a two-layer film that converts the energy of the magnetic field into electricity.
The implant is smaller in size than a grain of rice, but produces the same type of high-frequency signals as clinically approved battery-powered implants.
To test the viability of the implant, scientists conducted experiments on rat models with Parkinson's disease. The implant provided the necessary deep stimulation of the rodents' brains, which at the same time moved quietly around their enclosure. The rats preferred those areas of the enclosure where the magnetic field activated the implant.
Providing the implant with energy was solved by creating a two-layer film. The first layer consists of compounds of iron, boron, silicon and carbon. Being under the influence of a magnetic field, it generates the necessary vibrations. The second layer is made of a piezoelectric crystal that converts vibrations from the first layer into electricity.
"Our results show that the technology is an excellent candidate for wireless bioelectronics for clinical use," the authors said.
Miniature implants for stimulating the brain and nervous system can have the widest possible purpose. First of all, for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, chronic pain and other conditions.
The size of the implant allows it to be inserted practically anywhere in the human body in a minimally invasive way, similar to how stents are inserted into arteries today, the scientists explained.
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