journal article·2026-02

Flexible Wireless Electrical Stimulator Based on Liquid Metal High‐Density Coils for Chronic Pain Therapy

Xilong Zhang, Zhongshan Deng, Xiaoling Wu, Jun Su, Zengmao Lin, Minghui Guo, Jing Liu, Lei Li

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 36· Issue 13
Publisher page

Abstract

Abstract Chronic pain imposes substantial burdens on both individuals and society. For patients who have not responded to conservative treatments, spinal cord electrical stimulation (SCS) may be used as a therapeutic option. However, existing SCSs rely on rigid power delivery systems that can cause inflammation, limiting their long‐term stability and usability. In this study, an implanted flexible wireless electrical stimulator (WES) based on liquid metal (LM) high‐density coils is proposed, which can be applied to chronic pain treatment. The LM coil is fabricated using soft lithography and reversible bonding techniques, providing a higher effective number of turns and greater flexibility than existing coils, while maintaining mechanical stability to withstand over 1000 bending cycles. Furthermore, the WES system provided precisely tunable output voltages (±0–2 V), enabling tailored stimulation protocols. In a rodent model of neuropathic pain, WES therapy elicited a remarkable 60% improvement in weight‐bearing capacity, and the expression of pain‐sensitive factors is significantly reduced after treatment. The inductive electromotive force remained stable after implantation, and the tissue at the implantation site is in favorable condition. This work demonstrates the efficacy of LM high‐density coils for chronic pain management through in vivo implantation experiments, thereby laying the foundation for future long‐term, implantable, and wirelessly powered medical devices.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Neuroscience and Neural Engineering · Muscle activation and electromyography studies · Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Cryogenic Science and Technology Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China

School of Future Technology University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100049 China

Department of anesthesiology Peking University First Hospital Beijing 100035 China

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