AUTHOR=Vėbraitė Ieva , Hanein Yael TITLE=Soft Devices for High-Resolution Neuro-Stimulation: The Interplay Between Low-Rigidity and Resolution JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medical Technology VOLUME=3 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medical-technology/articles/10.3389/fmedt.2021.675744 DOI=10.3389/fmedt.2021.675744 ISSN=2673-3129 ABSTRACT=

The field of neurostimulation has evolved over the last few decades from a crude, low-resolution approach to a highly sophisticated methodology entailing the use of state-of-the-art technologies. Neurostimulation has been tested for a growing number of neurological applications, demonstrating great promise and attracting growing attention in both academia and industry. Despite tremendous progress, long-term stability of the implants, their large dimensions, their rigidity and the methods of their introduction and anchoring to sensitive neural tissue remain challenging. The purpose of this review is to provide a concise introduction to the field of high-resolution neurostimulation from a technological perspective and to focus on opportunities stemming from developments in materials sciences and engineering to reduce device rigidity while optimizing electrode small dimensions. We discuss how these factors may contribute to smaller, lighter, softer and higher electrode density devices.