Perspectives for Seamless Integration of Bioelectronic Systems in Neuromedicine

Abstract

The evolution of medicine has been a story that highlights the significance of diagnosis and treatment. With the discovery of electronic or electrochemical biosensors revolutionizing diagnosis, the capability of soft and hard electronic materials in stimulation-assisted therapy came under scrutiny. Arising from such investigations was the field of bioelectronics. However, beyond fundamental and proof-of-concept investigations, the clinical utility of the science and engineering in the field has been limited. Thus, to overcome the current hurdles, it is required that we adopt strategies to first identify or design the right set of nanomaterials with requisite properties. Following which, one must design or utilize an appropriate integration platform to combine sensing and stimulation. This is in conjunction with the fact that clinical applications require spatiotemporal sensing of a condition and a proportional dosage of stimulation for cure. This ultimately forms our goal toward seamless integration. In this chapter, we discuss optoelectronic and mechanical properties required for various stimulation modes and biological compatibility along with strategies for developing them. Further, we discuss the requirements for seamless integration of these materials on a platform along with potential strategies that hold promise.