Mary Donahue1
Linköping University1
The informational density and relative accessibility of the peripheral nervous system make it an attractive site for therapeutic intervention. Although electrode-based electrophysiological interfaces for peripheral nerves have been under development for over half a century, achieving spatial specificity and minimally invasive devices remains challenging. The value in tackling this challenge lies in the possibility to treat disorders such as, for example, chronic pain, overactive bladder, depression, and epilepsy. We aim to improve peripheral nerve interfaces through the use of wired flexible electrode arrays to intelligently design wireless organic electrolytic photocapacitor (OEPC) stimulation devices. Through the use of OEPCs we achieve capacitive stimulation pulses delivered by non-toxic materials as tissue-penetrating deep-red light is transduced into electrical signals. We therefore avoid faradaic reactions and the products thereof, and accomplish safe, non-invasive neuromodulation.