Abstract

Microelectronics made of flexible and bioresorbable materials are gaining interest in a variety of areas of clinical medicine. The flexibility of such electronic devices makes it possible to have less mechanical mismatch with biological tissues, ensuring both high efficacy of implanted devices and improved mitigation of foreign body reaction in vivo. The in vivo resorption through hydrolysis allows bioresorbable microelectronic devices to be excreted from the body without the necessity of secondary removal surgeries. The peripheral nervous system plays inimitable roles in daily activity. Research, diagnosis and treatments still need development because of the complexity and fragility of nervous system. Here, we aim to examine the use of flexible and bioresorbable implantable microelectronic devices as a unique vehicle for facilitating regeneration of the peripheral nervous system. The first aim of this work develops adaptive bioresorbable materials and wireless microelectronics as a functional therapeutic electrical stimulator. Polymers are designed to ensure protection during the working timeframe and degrade thereafter. Self-curling electrodes are employed to provide reliable fixation for implants. Electrical properties are characterized to ensure the functionalities for delivering electrical signals to injured nerves. We hypothesize that the stimulator achieves the requirements including (1) reliable functionality during the designed life span and (2) fast degradation afterwards. The second aim of this work examines the role of flexible and bioresorbable microelectronics as an interventional tool for the facilitation of nerve regeneration following injury, and specifically defines the optimal repetition and location of therapeutic electrical stimulation to facilitate functional recovery after nerve repair. Animals undergo 20-Hz therapeutic electrical stimulation by implantable stimulators for 1 hour immediately after sciatic nerve transection and different nerve repair strategies, and the stimulation lasts for different days post-surgery, with various sites including proximal, distal and dual nerve stumps afterwards. Functional assessments and histomorphometry analysis are utilized to evaluate the extent of peripheral nerve regeneration post-operatively. We hypothesize that applying such treatment via wireless bioresorbable implants daily within appropriate time frames and locations will help enhance nerve regeneration and functional recovery.

Committee Chair

Wilson Ray

Committee Members

Matthew MacEwan

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Author's Department

Interdisciplinary Programs

Author's School

McKelvey School of Engineering

Document Type

Dissertation

Date of Award

12-10-2025

Language

English (en)

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Available for download on Wednesday, December 08, 2027

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