Researchers Develop Minimally Invasive Endovascular Neural Interface for Brain Stimulation
Scientists have developed a fully endovascular neural implant smaller than one cubic millimeter that can be delivered through blood vessels to stimulate neural circuits, successfully modulating blood pressure in rabbits via the carotid artery. The device uses ultrasound for wireless power and data transmission, eliminating the need for open-brain surgery or bulky external hardware. This approach could expand minimally invasive treatment options for neurological, cardiovascular, and immune-related conditions.
A research team has developed a fully endovascular neural interface implant with a volume under one cubic millimeter, designed to be delivered through a microcatheter in a manner similar to conventional neurovascular stents. The implant incorporates piezoelectric transducers, an energy storage capacitor, an application-specific integrated circuit, and electrodes, all mounted on a seven-micrometer-thick polyimide scaffold. Ultrasound serves as the medium for both wireless power delivery and data telemetry, with the system functioning regardless of device orientation — a key practical advantage. Upon deployment, the device self-expands to press against vessel walls, enabling electrical contact with surrounding neural tissue. In animal experiments, the implant successfully stimulated the autonomic nervous system from within the carotid artery, producing measurable changes in blood pressure in rabbits. The researchers describe the platform as broadly applicable for both neural stimulation and recording, positioning it as a potential alternative to both invasive implanted electrodes and less precise noninvasive techniques.
What's missing
The study is a preprint posted to bioRxiv and has not yet undergone peer review. Key open questions include long-term biocompatibility and device stability within blood vessels, the risk of thrombosis or vessel injury, translation feasibility in larger animals or humans, the effective range and tissue penetration depth of ultrasound power delivery in human anatomy, and whether the spatial specificity demonstrated in rabbits will generalize to more complex neural targets.
What different sources said
- bioRxivCenter
A Fully Endovascular Neural Interface
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