The potential of neurostimulation devices with a monolayer of graphene to treat neurological diseases

Researchers at Purdue University have added a monolayer of graphene to implantable neurostimulation devices, which could potentially treat neurological diseases.

Although implantable neurostimulation devices are commonly used to treat certain neurological diseases, their platinum microelectrodes are prone to corrosion, which reduces the life of the device. Purdue University research published in 2D materials explores how adding a graphene monolayer can protect microelectrodes from devices.

The impact of neurological diseases

According to Purdue University:

• In the United States, the number of neurological diseases is steadily increasing; the number of neurological diseases increases;
• Stroke is classified as the fifth leading cause of death;
• Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death; and
• Parkinson's disease affects nearly a million people in the United States each year.

The reliability of neurostimulation devices

Hyowon "Hugh" Lee, an assistant professor at the Purdue College of Engineering and a researcher at the Birck Nanotechnology Center, who led the research team. "I know from industry experience that the reliability of implantable devices is a crucial problem for the translation of technology into clinics."

The monolayer of graphene

The team showed that the graphene monolayer was an effective diffusion barrier and an electrical conductor.

Lee commented, "This is part of our research focused on increasing and improving implantable devices using nanoscale and microscopic technologies for more reliable and advanced treatments. We are the first to know about the problem of platinum corrosion in neurostimulation microelectrodes. "

The future of neurostimulation therapy

Lee said that electrodes at the microscopic scale will play a key role in the future of accurate and targeted neurostimulation therapy. "We believe that neurosurgeons, neurologists, and other neuroengineering scientists will be able to use this electrode technology to better help implantable device patients restore vision, movement, and others." lost functionality, "added Lee.