IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2021 Feb;68(2):229-241. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2020.3020283. Epub 2021 Jan 26.
Electric fields are ubiquitous throughout the body, playing important role in a multitude of biological processes including osteo-regeneration, cell signaling, nerve regeneration, cardiac function, and DNA replication. An increased understanding of the role of electric fields in the body has led to the development of devices for biomedical applications that incorporate electromagnetic fields as an intrinsically novel functionality (e.g., bioactuators, biosensors, cardiac/neural electrodes, and tissues scaffolds). However, in the majority of the aforementioned devices, an implanted power supply is necessary for operation, and therefore requires highly invasive procedures. Thus, the ability to apply electric fields in a minimally invasive manner to remote areas of the body remains a critical and unmet need. Here, we report on the potential of magnetoelectric (ME)-based composites to overcome this challenge. ME materials are capable of producing localized electric fields in response to an applied magnetic field, which the body is permeable to. Yet, the use of ME materials for biomedical applications is just beginning to be explored. Here, we present on the potential of ME materials to be utilized in biomedical applications. This will be presented alongside current state-of-the-art for in vitro and in vivo electrical stimulation of cells and tissues. We will discuss key findings in the field, while also identifying challenges, such as the synthesis and characterization of biocompatible ME materials, challenges in experimental design, and opportunities for future research that would lead to the increased development of ME biomaterials and their applications.
电场在体内无处不在，在许多生物学过程中发挥着重要作用，包括骨再生、细胞信号转导、神经再生、心脏功能和 DNA 复制。对电场在体内作用的深入了解导致了用于生物医学应用的设备的发展，这些设备将电磁场作为固有新颖的功能纳入其中（例如，生物致动器、生物传感器、心脏/神经电极和组织支架）。然而，在上述大多数设备中，为了运行需要一个植入式电源，因此需要高度侵入性的程序。因此，以微创的方式将电场应用于身体的远程区域仍然是一个关键且未满足的需求。在这里，我们报告了基于磁电（ME）的复合材料克服这一挑战的潜力。ME 材料能够在施加磁场时产生局部电场，而人体对磁场是可穿透的。然而，ME 材料在生物医学应用中的使用才刚刚开始得到探索。在这里，我们介绍了 ME 材料在生物医学应用中的潜力。这将与细胞和组织的体外和体内电刺激的最新技术一起呈现。我们将讨论该领域的关键发现，同时确定挑战，例如生物相容 ME 材料的合成和表征、实验设计中的挑战以及未来研究的机会，这些将导致 ME 生物材料及其应用的进一步发展。
