A wirelessly powered, light-controlled, bioresorbable stimulation system with programmable polyphasic waveforms

Abstract

Wireless bioresorbable systems for electrical stimulation can deliver electrotherapy over clinically relevant timeframes, and then subsequently dissolve away in a harmless fashion. Such systems have previously been used in neuroregeneration and cardiac pacing, delivering monophasic pulses to a targeted site. Here we report a wirelessly powered system with programmable control of the stimulation waveforms using tissue-penetrating near-infrared light. The approach relies on a bioresorbable silicon phototransistor that is designed to optically modulate current flows at critical nodes in electrical circuits. We show that the approach can offer precise control over stimulation pulses—allowing monophasic, biphasic and polyphasic waveforms to be delivered to single or multiple sites—and all with power wirelessly delivered to a single receiver unit. Using small and large animal models, we further show that the technology enables single- and dual-chamber cardiac pacing, as well as phrenic neuromuscular stimulation for inducing and blocking diaphragmatic excursion.