Wireless optoelectronic devices for vagus nerve stimulation in mice

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Mary J Donahue
• Author: Malin Silverå Ejneby
• Author: Marie Jakešová
• Author: April S Caravaca
• Author: Gabriel Andersson
• Author: Ihor Sahalianov
• Author: Vedran Đerek
• Author: Henrik Hult
• Author: Peder S Olofsson
• Author: Eric Daniel Głowacki
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Physics)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Physics

Abstract (english)

Objective. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising approach for the treatment of a wide variety of debilitating conditions, including autoimmune diseases and intractable epilepsy. Much remains to be learned about the molecular mechanisms involved in vagus nerve regulation of organ function. Despite an abundance of well-characterized rodent models of common chronic diseases, currently available technologies are rarely suitable for the required long-term experiments in freely moving animals, particularly experimental mice. Due to challenging anatomical limitations, many relevant experiments require miniaturized, less invasive, and wireless devices for precise stimulation of the vagus nerve and other peripheral nerves of interest. Our objective is to outline possible solutions to this problem by using nongenetic light-based stimulation. Approach. We describe how to design and benchmark new microstimulation devices that are based on transcutaneous photovoltaic stimulation. The approach is to use wired multielectrode cuffs to test different stimulation patterns, and then build photovoltaic stimulators to generate the most optimal patterns. We validate stimulation through heart rate analysis. Main results. A range of different stimulation geometries are explored with large differences in performance. Two types of photovoltaic devices are fabricated to deliver stimulation: photocapacitors and photovoltaic flags. The former is simple and more compact, but has limited efficiency. The photovoltaic flag approach is more elaborate, but highly efficient. Both can be used for wireless actuation of the vagus nerve using light impulses. Significance. These approaches can enable studies in small animals that were previously challenging, such as long-term in vivo studies for mapping functional vagus nerve innervation. This new knowledge may have potential to support clinical translation of VNS for treatment of select inflammatory and neurologic diseases.

• Keywords (english): wireless; optoelectronics; device; vagus; stimulation; neurostimulation; peripheral nerve
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review - international
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Journal of Neural Engineering
• Numbering: vol. 19, no. 6, 066031
• p-ISSN: 1741-2560
• e-ISSN: 1741-2552
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/aca1e3
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:464039
• Publication: 2022-12-09
• Document URL: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1741-2552/aca1e3
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Public note: Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI. Received 27 may 2022. Revised 26 october 2022. Accepted for publication 10 november 2022. Published 9 december 2022.
• Created on: 2024-08-03 18:06:07