A battery-free anti-inflammatory brain remote for spatiotemporal guiding movement of mice

Abstract

The brain-machine-interface (BMI) system designed for the regulation of neural activity represents a cutting-edge technology in contemporary society, holding promising potential for applications in sensory substitution, neural disease treatment, and behavioral intervention. In this study, a novel battery-free anti-inflammatory brain remote has been innovated to guide the movement of mice. Characterized by a biologically inspired design, the device is capable of wireless power reception and control through a mobile phone utilizing the piezoelectric effect triggered by audio playback. Comprising two essential components—namely, the pedestal and the crest—the former is semi-invasively implanted on the head, featuring strategically positioned electrodes within specific brain regions. Additionally, the pedestal incorporates a drug-delivery microneedle array with antibacterial properties (PEG-ZnO nanorods), effectively mitigating the risk of postoperative infection and ensuring long-term wearability. The crest is constructed with an acoustic resonant cavity and a piezoelectric transducer, facilitating the reception of programmed acoustic waves and the subsequent output of neural electrostimulation signals. In vivo experiments involving the stimulation of the primary somatosensory barrel cortex (S1BF) in freely moving mice demonstrated the device's real-time influence on their body-turning behaviors. These findings underscore a wireless, self-powered, and biologically friendly approach, contributing to the advancement of remote brain-machine interfaces.