Miziev Sols, Pawlak Wiktoria Agata, Howard Newton
ni2o Inc., Washington, DC, United States.
Front Neurosci. 2024 Jan 16;17:1320441. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1320441. eCollection 2023.
As neural implant technologies advance rapidly, a nuanced understanding of their powering mechanisms becomes indispensable, especially given the long-term biocompatibility risks like oxidative stress and inflammation, which can be aggravated by recurrent surgeries, including battery replacements. This review delves into a comprehensive analysis, starting with biocompatibility considerations for both energy storage units and transfer methods. The review focuses on four main mechanisms for powering neural implants: Electromagnetic, Acoustic, Optical, and Direct Connection to the Body. Among these, Electromagnetic Methods include techniques such as Near-Field Communication (RF). Acoustic methods using high-frequency ultrasound offer advantages in power transmission efficiency and multi-node interrogation capabilities. Optical methods, although still in early development, show promising energy transmission efficiencies using Near-Infrared (NIR) light while avoiding electromagnetic interference. Direct connections, while efficient, pose substantial safety risks, including infection and micromotion disturbances within neural tissue. The review employs key metrics such as specific absorption rate (SAR) and energy transfer efficiency for a nuanced evaluation of these methods. It also discusses recent innovations like the Sectored-Multi Ring Ultrasonic Transducer (S-MRUT), Stentrode, and Neural Dust. Ultimately, this review aims to help researchers, clinicians, and engineers better understand the challenges of and potentially create new solutions for powering neural implants.
随着神经植入技术的迅速发展，对其供电机制进行细致入微的理解变得不可或缺，尤其是考虑到诸如氧化应激和炎症等长期生物相容性风险，这些风险可能会因包括电池更换在内的反复手术而加剧。本综述深入进行全面分析，首先探讨能量存储单元和传输方法的生物相容性考量。该综述重点关注为神经植入物供电的四种主要机制：电磁、声学、光学以及与身体的直接连接。其中，电磁方法包括近场通信（RF）等技术。使用高频超声的声学方法在功率传输效率和多节点询问能力方面具有优势。光学方法尽管仍处于早期发展阶段，但在使用近红外（NIR）光时展现出有前景的能量传输效率，同时避免电磁干扰。直接连接虽然高效，但存在重大安全风险，包括神经组织内的感染和微动干扰。该综述采用比吸收率（SAR）和能量传输效率等关键指标对这些方法进行细致评估。它还讨论了诸如扇形多环超声换能器（S - MRUT）、支架电极和神经尘埃等近期创新成果。最终，本综述旨在帮助研究人员、临床医生和工程师更好地理解为神经植入物供电所面临的挑战，并有可能创造新的解决方案。
