NSF EAGER: Ionic communication: high resolution, non-invasive data communication for bioelectronics

从身体内部发送和接收信息的能力对于科学和医学应用至关重要。几乎所有的可植入电子设备都需要与外部世界通信，以便能够传输采集的生物信号进行分析或从外部设备接收指令以调节其与组织的相互作用。然而，该任务本质上是具有挑战性的，因为通信方法应该是（i）非侵入性的，这意味着没有组件挤出组织，（ii）低功率的，以能够在延长的时间段内连续地获取数据，（iii）高速的，以允许传输所获取的复杂生物数据，（iv）可控的，以允许在组织中的限定深度上进行通信。这项工作的总体目标是开发一种基于离子的高速通信方案，以实现非侵入性和安全的信号传输，而不需要通过组织挤出的组件。提出这项工作的基本原理是，生物组织中的离子可以用来以高速和低功率向体外传递信息。该项目的教育目标是通过开发完全生物相容和廉价的离子通信设备为学生提供实践经验。这项拟议中的研究预计不仅将通过提高对控制整个身体通信的关键原则的理解来推进生物电子学领域，而且还将对整个社会产生积极影响。为了理解和调节生理功能，可植入生物电子设备应该能够以高速和低功耗将高时空分辨率的生物信号安全地传送到位于体外的设备。这种通信和数据传输应通过非侵入性路径完成，没有突出组织的元件，以最大限度地减少不适、移动并发症和组织损伤或感染的风险。离子通信利用生物组织富含离子的性质通过完整的表面传输信号，可以满足这些要求并解决当前基于电子电荷载体的方法的局限性。然而，关于如何使用离子通信来建立跨生物组织的高速、低功率和生物相容性通信介质，显然缺乏知识。拟议的研究的目的是结合联合收割机的非生物/生物传输接口的最佳性能：生物相容性，顺应性，小型化，低功耗，与身体的离子信号的有效相互作用，并能够以相关的电生理过程的速度传输数据。该项目的具体目标是：（1）建立物理，材料和几何要求，以实现离子通信;和（2）定义物理参数，管理离子信号通过组织的空间传播。总的来说，离子通信可以通过简化生物电子设备的数据传输并使其应用于禁止使用经皮连接器或庞大的植入式电子设备的情况，从而产生显著的医疗和社会效益。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The ability to send and receive information from inside the body is of key importance for scientific and medical applications. Nearly all implantable electronics devices require communication with the external world to be able to transmit acquired bio-signals for analysis or receive instructions from external devices to modulate their interactions with tissue. However, this task is inherently challenging because the communication method should be (i) non-invasive, meaning no components extruding through tissue, (ii) low-power, to be able to acquire data continuously over an extended period of time (iii) high-speed, to allow transmission of complex biological data acquired, (iv) controllable, to allow communication over a defined depth in the tissue. The overall objective of this work is to develop an ion-based, high-speed communication scheme to enable non-invasive and safe transmission of signals without the need of components that extrude through tissue. The rationale for the proposed work is that ions in biological tissue can be used to transfer information at high speeds and low power to the outside of body. The educational goal of the project is to provide hands-on experience for students by developing fully bio-compatible and inexpensive devices for ionic communication. The proposed research is expected to not only advance the field of bioelectronics by improving understanding of key principles governing communication across the body, but also result in positive impact to society at large. To understand and modulate physiologic functions, implantable bioelectronic devices should be capable of safely communicating the high spatiotemporal resolution bio-signals with high speed and low power consumption to devices located outside the body. This communication and data transfer should be accomplished through a non-invasive path with no elements that extrude through tissue to minimize discomfort, mobility complications, and risk of tissue damage or infection. Ionic communication, which leverages the ion-rich nature of biological tissue to transmit signals through intact surfaces, could fulfill these requirements and address the limitations of current electronic charge carrier-based approaches. However, there is a clear lack of knowledge regarding how to use ionic communication to establish a high speed, low-power, and biocompatible communication medium across biological tissue. The objective of the proposed research is to combine optimal properties for an abiotic/biotic transmission interface: biocompatibility, conformability, miniaturization, low power consumption, efficient interaction with the body’s ionic signals, and ability to transmit data at speeds relevant to electrophysiological processes. Specific aims for the project are: (1) establish the physical, material and geometrical requirements to enable ionic communication; and (2) define the physical parameters that govern the spatial propagation of ionic signals through tissue. Overall, ionic communication could result in significant medical and social benefits by simplifying data transmission from bioelectronic devices and enabling application to situations in which use of transcutaneous connectors or bulky implanted electronics is prohibitive.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.