Wireless bioresorbable electronic system enables sustained nonpharmacological neuroregenerative therapy

Nat Med. 2018 Dec;24(12):1830-1836. doi: 10.1038/s41591-018-0196-2. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries represent a significant problem in public health, constituting 2-5% of all trauma cases1. For severe nerve injuries, even advanced forms of clinical intervention often lead to incomplete and unsatisfactory motor and/or sensory function2. Numerous studies report the potential of pharmacological approaches (for example, growth factors, immunosuppressants) to accelerate and enhance nerve regeneration in rodent models3-10. Unfortunately, few have had a positive impact in clinical practice. Direct intraoperative electrical stimulation of injured nerve tissue proximal to the site of repair has been demonstrated to enhance and accelerate functional recovery11,12, suggesting a novel nonpharmacological, bioelectric form of therapy that could complement existing surgical approaches. A significant limitation of this technique is that existing protocols are constrained to intraoperative use and limited therapeutic benefits13. Herein we introduce (i) a platform for wireless, programmable electrical peripheral nerve stimulation, built with a collection of circuit elements and substrates that are entirely bioresorbable and biocompatible, and (ii) the first reported demonstration of enhanced neuroregeneration and functional recovery in rodent models as a result of multiple episodes of electrical stimulation of injured nervous tissue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorbable Implants / standards
  • Electric Stimulation / instrumentation
  • Electric Stimulation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology*
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries / physiopathology
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries / therapy*
  • Recovery of Function
  • Wireless Technology
  • Wound Healing / physiology*