Flexible Photovoltaic Neurostimulator for Analgesia
Abstract
Abstract Chronic neuropathic pain remains a significant clinical challenge, often requiring prolonged opioid use and exposing patients to associated complications. Current nerve electrical stimulation (ES) techniques show promise for analgesia but are constrained by their invasive nature and the potential risk of iatrogenic nerve injury. In this study, a novel approach is introduced to managing chronic pain through the development of a fully implantable, wireless, and self‐adaptive photovoltaic neurostimulator (PVNS). This innovative device combines flexible, self‐rolling cuff electrodes with biocompatible flexible Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) thin‐film photovoltaics, enabling near‐infrared (NIR) light‐triggered nerve ES. In vivo neuralgia models demonstrate significant analgesic effects, while mechanistic studies reveal the involvement of inflammatory pathway regulation and modulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1). The PVNS eliminates the difficulty for tethered stimulation and reduces the risk of peripheral nerve injury, offering a groundbreaking and minimally invasive solution for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain.
Article Details
Authors (8)
Qing Jia
Xinyuan Lin
Furong Song
Key Laboratory of Atomic and Molecular Physics & Functional Materials of Gansu Province College of Physics and Electronic Engineering Northwest Normal University Lanzhou 730070 China
Jiakai Shi
Key Laboratory of Dental Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Biological Intelligence Manufacturing School of Stomatology Lanzhou University Lanzhou Gansu Province P. R. China
Yun Zhao
Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for Materiobiology and Dynamic Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
Chunlei Yang
Weimin Li
National Tuberculosis Clinical Lab, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute
Zengjie Fan
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Materials and Technologies for Energy Storage College of Materials Science and Technology Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing 211106 China