TY - JOUR
T1 - Liquid Crystal Polymer-Based Miniaturized Fully Implantable Deep Brain Stimulator
AU - Ahn, Seung Hee
AU - Koh, Chin Su
AU - Park, Minkyung
AU - Jun, Sang Beom
AU - Chang, Jin Woo
AU - Kim, Sung June
AU - Jung, Hyun Ho
AU - Jeong, Joonsoo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.
PY - 2023/11
Y1 - 2023/11
N2 - A significant challenge in improving the deep brain stimulation (DBS) system is the miniaturization of the device, aiming to integrate both the stimulator and the electrode into a compact unit with a wireless charging capability to reduce invasiveness. We present a miniaturized, fully implantable, and battery-free DBS system designed for rats, using a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), a biocompatible and long-term reliable material. The system integrates the simulator circuit, the receiver coil, and a 20 mm long depth-type microelectrode array in a dome-shaped LCP package that is 13 mm in diameter and 5 mm in height. Wireless powering and control via an inductive link enable device miniaturization, allowing for full implantation and, thus, the free behavior of untethered animals. The eight-channel stimulation electrode array was microfabricated on an LCP substrate to form a multilayered system substrate, which was monolithically encapsulated by a domed LCP lid using a specialized spot-welding process. The device functionality was validated via an in vivo animal experiment using a neuropathic pain model in rats. This experiment demonstrated an increase in the mechanical withdrawal threshold of the rats with microelectrical stimulation delivered using the fully implanted device, highlighting the effectiveness of the system.
AB - A significant challenge in improving the deep brain stimulation (DBS) system is the miniaturization of the device, aiming to integrate both the stimulator and the electrode into a compact unit with a wireless charging capability to reduce invasiveness. We present a miniaturized, fully implantable, and battery-free DBS system designed for rats, using a liquid crystal polymer (LCP), a biocompatible and long-term reliable material. The system integrates the simulator circuit, the receiver coil, and a 20 mm long depth-type microelectrode array in a dome-shaped LCP package that is 13 mm in diameter and 5 mm in height. Wireless powering and control via an inductive link enable device miniaturization, allowing for full implantation and, thus, the free behavior of untethered animals. The eight-channel stimulation electrode array was microfabricated on an LCP substrate to form a multilayered system substrate, which was monolithically encapsulated by a domed LCP lid using a specialized spot-welding process. The device functionality was validated via an in vivo animal experiment using a neuropathic pain model in rats. This experiment demonstrated an increase in the mechanical withdrawal threshold of the rats with microelectrical stimulation delivered using the fully implanted device, highlighting the effectiveness of the system.
KW - deep brain stimulation
KW - implantable electronics
KW - liquid crystal polymers
KW - von Frey test
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85178085479&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/polym15224439
DO - 10.3390/polym15224439
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85178085479
SN - 2073-4360
VL - 15
JO - Polymers
JF - Polymers
IS - 22
M1 - 4439
ER -