Cited by 360Neuroscience and Neural EngineeringAnalog and Mixed-Signal Circuit DesignUndergraduate Neuroscience Education and Research

Wireless and battery-free technologies for neuroengineering

Open access
Won, Sang Min, Cai, Le, Gutruf, Philipp, Rogers, John A.·2021·Nature Biomedical Engineering

Abstract

Tethered and battery-powered devices that interface with neural tissues can restrict natural motions and prevent social interactions in animal models, thereby limiting the utility of these devices in behavioural neuroscience research. In this Review Article, we discuss recent progress in the development of miniaturized and ultralightweight devices as neuroengineering platforms that are wireless, battery-free and fully implantable, with capabilities that match or exceed those of wired or battery-powered alternatives. Such classes of advanced neural interfaces with optical, electrical or fluidic functionality can also combine recording and stimulation modalities for closed-loop applications in basic studies or in the practical treatment of abnormal physiological processes.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41551-021-00683-3

Cites

211 of 211 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Wireless transmission of data and energy for flexible implants can reduce messy wires and improve user mobility and social interaction.

    “Recently, there has been a focus on wireless transmission of data and energy for flexible implants, which can reduce messy wires and improve user mobility and social interaction.[325]”

    From Flexible Electronics and Devices as Human–Machine Interfaces for Medical Robotics (2022) · cites this paper as [325]

    The “Limitations of tethered systems” section reports that, compared with untethered mice, mice with fiber tethers had reduced mobility and social interaction. The paper also discusses flexible components for wireless implants, but the cited behavioral comparison concerns animals; it does not establish improved mobility or social interaction for human implant users. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Batteries can occupy up to 90% of an implant's volume and 60% of its weight.

    “Batteries, for instance, can occupy up to 90% of an implant’s volume and 60% of its weight (Won et al., 2021), with space and thermal output being major constraints (Rapeaux and Constandinou, 2021).”

    From Comparative analysis of energy transfer mechanisms for neural implants (2024) · cites this paper as Won et al., 2021

  • RF systems for charging may induce voltages in nearby data circuits, causing data loss or errors.

    “For example, RF systems for charging may induce voltages in nearby data circuits, causing data loss or errors, while power harvesting in battery-less systems might disrupt high-frequency data signals (Bazaka and Jacob, 2012; Rahimpour et al., 2021; Won et al., 2021).”

    From Comparative analysis of energy transfer mechanisms for neural implants (2024) · cites this paper as Won et al., 2021

    The Radio-frequency power transfer section discusses RF-wave reflections that disrupt power delivery, not voltages induced in nearby data circuits or resulting data errors. The Near-field wireless power transfer section describes communication alongside power transfer, but does not say that harvesting disrupts high-frequency data signals. Searches for data-circuit voltages and interference between power transfer and data communication found no supporting passage in our copy; page numbers were not available. (LLM, conf=0.72)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Power harvesting in battery-less systems might disrupt high-frequency data signals.

    “For example, RF systems for charging may induce voltages in nearby data circuits, causing data loss or errors, while power harvesting in battery-less systems might disrupt high-frequency data signals (Bazaka and Jacob, 2012; Rahimpour et al., 2021; Won et al., 2021).”

    From Comparative analysis of energy transfer mechanisms for neural implants (2024) · cites this paper as Won et al., 2021

    The Radio-frequency power transfer section describes environmental obstructions interfering with RF power delivery, not power harvesting disrupting data signals. The Near-field wireless power transfer section says power transfer and data transmission can share a carrier frequency, but does not report signal disruption. Searches for data errors and interference between power harvesting and communication found no supporting passage. (LLM, conf=0.75)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 15

  1. [43]Tokuda T 1 mm3-sized optical neural stimulator based on CMOS integrated photovoltaic power receiver. AIP Advances 8, 045018 (2018).
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  12. [184]Johnson BC StimDust: a 6.5 mm3, wireless ultrasonic peripheral nerve stimulator with 82% peak chip efficiency. in 2018 IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conference (CICC), 1– 4 (2018).
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  15. [197]Liang T & Yuan YJ Wearable Medical Monitoring Systems Based on Wireless Networks: A Review. Ieee Sens J 16, 8186– 8199 (2016).

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Authors
Won, S. M., Cai, L., Gutruf, P., & Rogers, J. A.
Affiliations
  • Sungkyunkwan University (KR)
  • University of Arizona (US)
  • Northwestern University (US)
Corresponding author
  • Gutruf, Philipp
  • Rogers, John A.
Venue
Nature Biomedical Engineering
Published
2021-03-08
Volume
7
Issue
4
Pages
405-423
ISSN
2157-846X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3134257467
Cited by
360
References
211
Citations by year
2026: 52 · 2025: 85 · 2024: 88 · 2023: 65 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 17
FWCI
8.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Biomedical Engineering (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Arizona
  • National Research Foundation (2020M3H4A1A03084600)
  • Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (IITP-2020-001821, 2020-0-01821, 2020M3H4A1A03084600)
  • National Research Foundation of Korea (IITP-2020-0-01821, 2020M3H4A1A03084600, 2020R1G1A1101267)
  • Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea (2020-0-01821, IITP-2020-0-01821)
  • Institute for Information and Communications Technology Promotion (IITP-2020-0-01821)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS112535)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuit Design
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Undergraduate Neuroscience Education and Research
Keywords
wireless neural interface, battery-free devices, biomedical implants, neural engineering, miniaturized devices, psychobiology, animal models, neural recording, neurostimulation
MeSH terms
Animals, Neurosciences, Electric Power Supplies, Technology, Prostheses and Implants, Models, Animal

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