Revolutionary Nerve Cuffs: Tiny, Flexible Devices for Minimally Invasive Nerve Monitoring and Treatment

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a groundbreaking new technology that could revolutionize the way we interact with peripheral nerves. By combining flexible electronics and soft robotics techniques, the team has created tiny, flexible devices that can wrap around individual nerve fibers without causing any damage.

These robotic nerve ‘cuffs’ have the potential to be used for the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of neurological disorders, such as epilepsy and chronic pain, as well as for the control of prosthetic limbs. Current tools for interfacing with peripheral nerves are often bulky and carry a high risk of nerve injury, but the nerve cuffs developed by the Cambridge team are designed to be sensitive enough to grasp or wrap around delicate nerve fibers without causing harm.

Tests conducted on rats have shown that the devices only require small voltages to change shape in a controlled manner, forming a self-closing loop around nerves without the need for surgical sutures or glues. The combination of soft electrical actuators with neurotechnology opens up new possibilities for minimally invasive monitoring and treatment of neurological conditions.

One of the key applications of these nerve cuffs is in electric nerve implants, which can be used to either stimulate or block signals in target nerves. This technology could help relieve pain by blocking pain signals or restore movement in paralyzed limbs by sending electrical signals to the nerves. Nerve monitoring during surgery in areas with high concentrations of nerve fibers, such as near the spinal cord, could also benefit from these implants.

Professor George Malliaras, who led the research, highlighted the risks associated with traditional nerve implants and the importance of developing less invasive solutions. The nerve cuffs developed by the Cambridge team offer a promising alternative that is less invasive, more flexible, and easier to implant.

The researchers have designed the nerve cuffs using conducting polymers typically used in soft robotics. These ultra-thin cuffs can be rolled up into a needle and injected near the target nerve, where they can change shape when activated electrically to wrap around the nerve.

Dr. Chaoqun Dong, the first author of the study, explained how the cuffs can be reprogrammed to adjust their tightness around the nerve, allowing for optimal recording and stimulation. The low voltage required for actuation ensures the safe use of these devices inside the body.

Future studies will involve further testing of the nerve cuffs in animal models, with the goal of eventually testing them in humans. The researchers believe that this technology could open up new possibilities for highly targeted treatments that could benefit patients in various ways.

This groundbreaking research was supported by various funding sources, including the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Cambridge Trust, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Materials, providing valuable insights into the future of neural interfaces and neurotechnology.

With the potential to revolutionize the field of neurotechnology, these robotic nerve cuffs offer new hope for patients with neurological disorders and pave the way for more precise and minimally invasive treatments in the future.