Bioresorbable, wireless dual stimulator for peripheral nerve regeneration
Wireless bioresorbable electrical stimulators have broad potential as therapeutic implants. Such devices operate for a clinically relevant duration and then harmlessly dissolve, eliminating the need for surgical removal. A representative application is in treating peripheral nerve injuries through targeted stimulation at either proximal or distal sites, with operation for up to one week. This report introduces enhanced devices with additional capabilities: (1) simultaneous stimulation of both proximal and distal sites, and (2) robust operation for as long as several months, all achieved with materials that naturally resorb by hydrolysis in surrounding biofluids. Systematic investigations of the materials and design aspects highlight the key features that enable dual stimulation and with enhanced stability. Animal model studies illustrate beneficial effects in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration, as quantified by increased total muscle and muscle fiber cross-sectional area and compound muscle action potentials. These findings expand the clinical applications of bioresorbable stimulators, particularly for long-term nerve regeneration and continuous neuromodulation-based monitoring.
Authors
- Hong‐Joon Yoon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5668-3192)
- Thomas D.Y. Chung (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4856-6233)
- Seonggwang Yoo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9126-927X)
- Yonggang Y. Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0483-8359)
- Hak‐Young Ahn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5441-1054)
- Colin K. Franz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4546-8638)
- Seyong Oh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3989-1117)
- Dominic D’Andrea (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1434-6777)
- Geumbee Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0907-4092)
- Yasmine Bouricha
- Woo‐Youl Maeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2542-9359)
- Raudel O. Avila (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0092-5307)
- Seung Gi Seo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7147-2019)
- Donghwi Cho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9382-3820)
- Jordan B. Walters
- John A. Rogers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2980-3961)
- Grace Wickerson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1561-8009)
- Sumanas W. Jordan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4101-0494)
- Yeon Sik Choi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3813-3442)
- Jae‐Young Yoo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0934-4718)
- Jiaqi Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5587-7243)
- Jong Uk Kim
- Oliver Ralph Weissleder (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7574-6204)
- Song Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4760-8828)
- Tae Yeon Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2440-9890)
- Jihun Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4402-6881)
- Jingjing Tian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1396-0986)
- Chanho Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7524-539X)
Institutions
- Inje University (KR)
- Northwestern University (US)
- Gachon University (KR)
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (US)
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Yonsei University (KR)
- Kyungpook National University (KR)
- Northwestern University (PH)
- Samueli Institute (US)
- Broad Center (US)
- Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KR)
- Hanyang University (KR)
- Rice University (US)
- Sungkyunkwan University (KR)
- Korea University of Science and Technology (KR)
- I-Shou University (TW)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2025-05-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59835-7
- Citations
- 20
- Primary Topic
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 18.18
Funders
- Richard K. and Shirley S. Hemingway Foundation
- Northwestern University
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Korea Health Industry Development Institute
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Center for Information Technology
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development