About this Research Topic
Recent advances in neural implants demonstrate a remarkable ability to restore motor and sensory functions and address brain diseases/disorders using microelectrode arrays and depth electrodes to record and stimulate the nervous system. Nevertheless, long-term functionality in vivo remains the unmet challenge to the translation of these technologies from bench to bedside. Over time, various types of electrodes, from rigid, metallic probes to thin, flexible microelectrodes, eventually fail due to the immune response, biofouling, fluid absorption from ineffective encapsulation, and mechanical damage. Overcoming these longevity barriers is critical to realizing the life-changing neural prostheses and chronic treatments.
This research topic aims to showcase the latest advancements in bioelectronics encapsulations, breakthrough technologies, and novel approaches toward chronic working neural implants. We will delve into cutting-edge techniques and scientific and engineering efforts for the development of interventions to push the current boundaries of the limited lifetime in vivo.
The research topic will cover the following aspects but is not limited to:
• State-of-the-art encapsulation materials and innovations in electrode materials and fabrication technologies: processing and encapsulation methods, high-performing circuits, robust contact surfaces, connectors, and mechanically durable interfaces.
• In addition to hermetic encapsulations, smart encapsulations, i.e., breathable, selective, bioresorbable encapsulations that control the lifetime and diffusion pathways, are welcomed.
• Investigation on critical failure modes: implant degradation behaviors under complexed and combined electro-chemo-mechanical loading. Root cause analysis of the device ends from biotic and abiotic factors.
• Translational research: in vivo tests and clinical trials of implantable electrodes to help provide guidelines for suitable hermetic encapsulations that prevent the device’s performance degradation.
• Lifetime analysis on the functional longevity of implantable electrodes: Novel testing technique and characterization methods. Data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, theory-based computational or empirical models for lifetime prediction.
Experts in this field from countries across the globe will get connected to foster further successful development, translation, and commercialization of next-generation bioelectronic implants. We welcome submissions of the latest outcomes from the research teams combined with the expertise, resources, and technical infrastructures for manufacturing, encapsulation, testing and analyzing in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo, and various aspects of electro-chemo-mechanical durability of bioelectronic implants. Submissions can be original research papers, reviews, and perspective articles.
This research topic aims to showcase the latest advancements in bioelectronics encapsulations, breakthrough technologies, and novel approaches toward chronic working neural implants. We will delve into cutting-edge techniques and scientific and engineering efforts for the development of interventions to push the current boundaries of the limited lifetime in vivo.
The research topic will cover the following aspects but is not limited to:
• State-of-the-art encapsulation materials and innovations in electrode materials and fabrication technologies: processing and encapsulation methods, high-performing circuits, robust contact surfaces, connectors, and mechanically durable interfaces.
• In addition to hermetic encapsulations, smart encapsulations, i.e., breathable, selective, bioresorbable encapsulations that control the lifetime and diffusion pathways, are welcomed.
• Investigation on critical failure modes: implant degradation behaviors under complexed and combined electro-chemo-mechanical loading. Root cause analysis of the device ends from biotic and abiotic factors.
• Translational research: in vivo tests and clinical trials of implantable electrodes to help provide guidelines for suitable hermetic encapsulations that prevent the device’s performance degradation.
• Lifetime analysis on the functional longevity of implantable electrodes: Novel testing technique and characterization methods. Data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, theory-based computational or empirical models for lifetime prediction.
Experts in this field from countries across the globe will get connected to foster further successful development, translation, and commercialization of next-generation bioelectronic implants. We welcome submissions of the latest outcomes from the research teams combined with the expertise, resources, and technical infrastructures for manufacturing, encapsulation, testing and analyzing in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo, and various aspects of electro-chemo-mechanical durability of bioelectronic implants. Submissions can be original research papers, reviews, and perspective articles.
Keywords: Encapsulation, implants longevity, next generation implants
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
