Wireless optogenetic neural dust for deep brain stimulation

In recent years, numerous research efforts have been dedicated towards developing efficient implantable devices for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). However, there are limitations and challenges with the current technologies. Firstly, the stimulation of neurons currently is only possible through implantable electrodes which target a population of neurons. This results in challenges in the event that stimulation at the single neuron level is required. Secondly, a major hurdle still lies in developing miniature devices that can last for a lifetime in the patient's brain. Recently, the concept of neural dust has been introduced as a way to achieve single neuron monitoring and potentially actuation. In parallel to this, the field of optogenetics has emerged where the aim is to stimulate neurons using light, usually by means of optical fibers inserted through the skull. Obviously, this introduces many challenges in terms of user friendliness and biocompatibility. We address this shortcoming by proposing the wireless optogenetic neural dust (wi-opt neural dust). The wiopt neural dust is equipped with a miniature LED that is able to stimulate the genetically engineered neurons, and at the same time harvest energy from ultrasonic vibrations. The simulation results presented in the paper investigates the behaviour of the light propagation in the brain tissue, as well as the performance of designed circuitry for the energy harvesting process. The results demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing wi-opt neural dust for long term implantation in the brain, and a new direction towards precise stimulation of neurons in the cortex.