Optical wireless data transfer through skin for implantable biomedical electronics
Source abstract
Abstract
As the global population ages, the demand for implantable medical electronic devices for physiological monitoring and functional support continues to grow. In such systems, wireless data exchange is essential for device control and real-time physiological data acquisition. While coil-based methods are widely used, the method may pose challenges such as electromagnetic interference, or unwanted induced currents in diverse clinical environments. Here, we introduce a soft, flexible optical wireless communication system capable of reliable, real-time data exchange through biological tissues without the need for antenna coils. Microscale light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetector (PD), microfabricated and integrated into flexible platforms, enable wireless data transmission via light modulation through biological skin, in a relatively small form factor. In vivo experiments validate wireless bi-directional data transfer with integrated physiological sensors, demonstrating on-demand, real-time monitoring of signals such as electrocardiogram and body temperature. This approach offers a promising pathway toward safer, miniaturized wireless implantable electronics.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Wireless Power Transfer Systems · Wireless Body Area Networks · Non-Invasive Vital Sign Monitoring
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (45)
Show source-provided references
1. Li, Y. et al. Molecular mechanisms of aging and anti-aging strategies. Cell Commun. Signal. 22, 285 (2024).10.1186/s12964-024-01663-1 ↗
2. Guo, J. et al. Aging and aging-related diseases: from molecular mechanisms to interventions and treatments. Signal Transduct. Target. Ther. 7, 391 (2022).10.1038/s41392-022-01251-0 ↗
3. Niccoli, T. & Partridge, L. Ageing as a risk factor for disease. Curr. Biol. 22, R741–R752 (2012).10.1016/j.cub.2012.07.024 ↗
4. Ouyang, H. et al. Symbiotic cardiac pacemaker. Nat. Commun. 10, 1821 (2019).10.1038/s41467-019-09851-1 ↗
5. Choi, Y. S. et al. Fully implantable and bioresorbable cardiac pacemakers without leads or batteries. Nat. Biotechnol. 39, 1228–1238 (2021).10.1038/s41587-021-00948-x ↗
6. Lee, G. et al. A bioresorbable peripheral nerve stimulator for electronic pain block. Sci. Adv. 8, eabp9169 (2022).10.1126/sciadv.abp9169 ↗
7. Koo, J. et al. Wireless bioresorbable electronic system enables sustained nonpharmacological neuroregenerative therapy. Nat. Med. 24, 1830–1836 (2018).10.1038/s41591-018-0196-2 ↗
8. Cai, Y. et al. In-situ artificial retina with all-in-one reconfigurable photomemristor networks. npj Flex. Electron. 7, 29 (2023).10.1038/s41528-023-00262-3 ↗
9. Lan, L. et al. Stretchable optoelectronic synapses with ultraviolet to near-infrared perception for retina-inspired computing and vision-adaptive sensing. npj Flex. Electron. 9, 16 (2025).10.1038/s41528-025-00390-y ↗
10. Zeng, F.-G., Rebscher, S., Harrison, W., Sun, X. & Feng, H. Cochlear implants: system design, integration, and evaluation. IEEE Rev. Biomed. Eng. 1, 115–142 (2008).10.1109/RBME.2008.2008250 ↗
11. Dhanasingh, A. & Jolly, C. An overview of cochlear implant electrode array designs. Hearing Res. 356, 93–103 (2017).10.1016/j.heares.2017.10.005 ↗
12. Qiu, S., Yan, B. P. & Zhao, N. Stroke-volume-allocation model enabling wearable sensors for vascular age and cardiovascular disease assessment. npj Flex. Electron. 8, 24 (2024).10.1038/s41528-024-00307-1 ↗
13. Bhattacharya, S. et al. A chest-conformable, wireless electro-mechanical e-tattoo for measuring multiple cardiac time intervals. Adv. Electron. Mater. 9, 2201284 (2023).10.1002/aelm.202201284 ↗
14. Burton, A. et al. Fully implanted battery-free high power platform for chronic spinal and muscular functional electrical stimulation. Nat. Commun. 14, 7887 (2023).10.1038/s41467-023-43669-2 ↗
15. Mahmood, M. et al. Wireless Soft Scalp Electronics and Virtual Reality System for Motor Imagery-Based Brain–Machine Interfaces. Adv. Sci. 8, 2101129 (2021).10.1002/advs.202101129 ↗
16. Zhu, G. et al. Neural stimulation and modulation with sub-cellular precision by optomechanical bio-dart. Light.: Sci. Appl. 13, 258 (2024).10.1038/s41377-024-01617-9 ↗
17. La, T. G. et al. Two-layered and stretchable e-textile patches for wearable healthcare electronics. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 7, 1801033 (2018).10.1002/adhm.201801033 ↗
18. Cho, Y., Park, S., Lee, J. & Yu, K. J. Emerging materials and technologies with applications in flexible neural implants: a comprehensive review of current issues with neural devices. Adv. Mater. 33, 2005786 (2021).10.1002/adma.202005786 ↗
19. Jiang, L. et al. Flexible ultrasound-induced retinal stimulating piezo-arrays for biomimetic visual prostheses. Nat. Commun. 13, 3853 (2022).10.1038/s41467-022-31599-4 ↗
20. Zheng, T., Xie, X., Shi, Q., Wu, J. & Yu, C. Self-Powered Artificial Neuron Devices: Towards the All-In-One Perception and Computation System. Adv. Mater. 37, 2416897 (2025).10.1002/adma.202416897 ↗
21. Xu, B. et al. An epidermal stimulation and sensing platform for sensorimotor prosthetic control, management of lower back exertion, and electrical muscle activation. Adv. Mater. (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) 28, 4462 (2015).10.1002/adma.201504155 ↗
22. Kim, D. et al. Hexagonal metal complex based mechanically robust transparent ultrathin gold µECoG for electro-optical neural interfaces. npj Flex. Electron. 9, 31 (2025).10.1038/s41528-025-00403-w ↗
23. Kim, A., Ochoa, M., Rahimi, R. & Ziaie, B. New and emerging energy sources for implantable wireless microdevices. IEEE access 3, 89–98 (2015).10.1109/ACCESS.2015.2406292 ↗
24. Kurs, A. et al. Wireless power transfer via strongly coupled magnetic resonances. science 317, 83–86 (2007).10.1126/science.1143254 ↗
25. Li, P. & Bashirullah, R. A wireless power interface for rechargeable battery operated medical implants. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. II: Express Briefs 54, 912–916 (2007).10.1109/TCSI.2007.890604 ↗
26. Choi, Y. S. et al. A transient, closed-loop network of wireless, body-integrated devices for autonomous electrotherapy. Science 376, 1006–1012 (2022).10.1126/science.abm1703 ↗
27. Kim, C. Y. et al. Soft subdermal implant capable of wireless battery charging and programmable controls for applications in optogenetics. Nat. Commun. 12, 535 (2021).10.1038/s41467-020-20803-y ↗
28. Kim, D.-H. et al. Epidermal electronics. science 333, 838–843 (2011).10.1126/science.1206157 ↗
29. Shao, Y. et al. Room-temperature high-precision printing of flexible wireless electronics based on MXene inks. Nat. Commun. 13, 3223 (2022).10.1038/s41467-022-30648-2 ↗
30. Boutry, C. M. et al. Biodegradable and flexible arterial-pulse sensor for the wireless monitoring of blood flow. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 3, 47–57 (2019).10.1038/s41551-018-0336-5 ↗
31. Kim, J. et al. Miniaturized flexible electronic systems with wireless power and near-field communication capabilities. Adv. Funct. Mater. 25, 4761–4767 (2015).10.1002/adfm.201501590 ↗
32. Lee, A.-H., Lee, J., Leung, V., Larson, L. & Nurmikko, A. Patterned electrical brain stimulation by a wireless network of implantable microdevices. Nat. Commun. 15, 10093 (2024).10.1038/s41467-024-54542-1 ↗
33. Bathaei, M. J. et al. Photolithography-based microfabrication of biodegradable flexible and stretchable sensors. Adv. Mater. 35, 2207081 (2023).10.1002/adma.202207081 ↗
34. Lu, X., Wang, P., Niyato, D., Kim, D. I. & Han, Z. Wireless charging technologies: Fundamentals, standards, and network applications. IEEE Commun. Surv. Tutor. 18, 1413–1452 (2015).10.1109/COMST.2015.2499783 ↗
35. Chandrakasan, A. P., Verma, N. & Daly, D. C. Ultralow-power electronics for biomedical applications. Annu. Rev. Biomed. Eng. 10, 247–274 (2008).10.1146/annurev.bioeng.10.061807.160547 ↗
36. Haerinia, M. & Shadid, R. Wireless power transfer approaches for medical implants: A review. Signals 1, 209–229 (2020).10.3390/signals1020012 ↗
37. Kim, K. Y. et al. An ultrathin organic–inorganic integrated device for optical biomarker monitoring. Nat. Electron. 7, 914–923 (2024).10.1038/s41928-024-01237-6 ↗
38. Cortese, A. J. et al. Microscopic sensors using optical wireless integrated circuits. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 117, 9173–9179 (2020).10.1073/pnas.1919677117 ↗
39. Zhang, H. et al. Wireless, battery-free optoelectronic systems as subdermal implants for local tissue oximetry. Sci. Adv. 5, eaaw0873 (2019).10.1126/sciadv.aaw0873 ↗
40. Burton, A. et al. Wireless, battery-free subdermally implantable photometry systems for chronic recording of neural dynamics. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 117, 2835–2845 (2020).10.1073/pnas.1920073117 ↗
41. He, H. et al. Integrated sensing and communication in an optical fibre. Light.: Sci. Appl. 12, 25 (2023).10.1038/s41377-022-01067-1 ↗
42. Jacobi, U. et al. Porcine ear skin: an in vitro model for human skin. Ski. Res. Technol. 13, 19–24 (2007).10.1111/j.1600-0846.2006.00179.x ↗
43. TP, S. The pig as a model for human wound healing. Wound Rep. Reg. 91, 66–76 (2001).
44. Summerfield, A., Meurens, F. & Ricklin, M. E. The immunology of the porcine skin and its value as a model for human skin. Mol. Immunol. 66, 14–21 (2015).10.1016/j.molimm.2014.10.023 ↗
45. Lee, Y. & Hwang, K. Skin thickness of Korean adults. Surg. Radiol. Anat. 24, 183 (2002).10.1007/s00276-002-0034-5 ↗