Electronics with shape actuation for minimally invasive spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation is one of the oldest and most established neuromodulation therapies. However, today, clinicians need to choose between bulky paddle-type devices, requiring invasive surgery under general anesthetic, and percutaneous lead–type devices, which can be implanted via simple needle puncture under local anesthetic but offer clinical drawbacks when compared with paddle devices. By applying photo- and soft lithography fabrication, we have developed a device that features thin, flexible electronics and integrated fluidic channels. This device can be rolled up into the shape of a standard percutaneous needle then implanted on the site of interest before being expanded in situ, unfurling into its paddle-type conformation. The device and implantation procedure have been validated in vitro and on human cadaver models. This device paves the way for shape-changing bioelectronic devices that offer a large footprint for sensing or stimulation but are implanted in patients percutaneously in a minimally invasive fashion.