Minimally Invasive and Versatile Next-Generation Implantable Medical Devices: A Leap Towards Precision Therapies and Medicine

PROJECT SUMMARY Implantable Medical Devices (IMDs) stand on the brink of a healthcare revolution, providing an unprecedented means of managing and preventing a myriad of diseases. However, the potential of IMDs is currently impeded by the challenges of

limited interfacing with dispersed neurons, invasive and voluminous designs, and excessive costs, factors that impede their widespread adoption. This project aims to address these limitations by pioneering a novel generation of IMDs: wireless

microdevices. The proposed devices will be battery-free, injectable microchips capable of deployment anywhere within the

body, integrating energy harvesting, telecommunication functions, and capabilities specific to diverse applications. The development of the microdevice will necessitate interdisciplinary integration spanning integrated circuits, wireless

powering, materials science, and microfabrication. Key innovations central to this research include the design of compact,

reconfigurable integrated circuits; enhancement of power transfer efficiency; and the application of cost-effective, inkjet

printing-based techniques for efficient device assembly and fabrication. Importantly, this project will introduce for the first time a precise injection technique designed to enhance placement accuracy and minimize tissue damage. The project's

validation of injectable bioelectric devices in animal models opens avenues for engaging collaboration with neurosurgeons,

neurologists, and industry stakeholders. Together, we envisage translating the technology into clinical trials, implementing

targeted health interventions, and potentially shifting the perception of IMDs from a last-resort solution to an elective option

at earlier disease treatment stages. By developing wireless microdevices that are injectable, scalable, versatile, and fully addressable, this project represents a technological breakthrough, aiming to redefine the future of implantable medical devices. This resonates deeply with my career aspiration to be at the forefront of transforming the IMD field.