Featured
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| Open AccessMultiscale architecture design of 3D printed biodegradable Zn-based porous scaffolds for immunomodulatory osteogenesis
Rapid degradation inducing overdose toxicity remains challenging in porous biodegradable bone scaffolds. Here the authors present multiscale architecture design on ZnLi scaffolds with 90% porosity orchestrates immune responses and subsequent bone regeneration.
- Shuang Li
- , Hongtao Yang
- & Yufeng Zheng
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Article
| Open AccessAutomatic data-driven design and 3D printing of custom ocular prostheses
Manual processes to produce ocular prostheses are time-consuming and yield varying quality. Here, authors present an automatic digital end-to-end process for custom ocular prostheses. It creates shape and appearance from image data of an OCT device and produces them using a full-colour 3D printer.
- Johann Reinhard
- , Philipp Urban
- & Mandeep S. Sagoo
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Article
| Open AccessA wireless battery-free eye modulation patch for high myopia therapy
The proper axial length of the eye is crucial for achieving emmetropia. Here, authors introduce a wireless battery-free eye modulation patch designed to correct high myopia and prevent relapse.
- Tianyan Zhong
- , Hangjin Yi
- & Xinyu Xue
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Article
| Open AccessBlack phosphorus boosts wet-tissue adhesion of composite patches by enhancing water absorption and mechanical properties
The utility of wet-tissue adhesives has been impeded by the suboptimal adhesive strength. Here the authors report a composite patch integrated with BP nanosheets that improve the wet-tissue adhesion by enhancing the water absorption and mechanical properties of the patch and demonstrate the uses of the patch in hemostasis, physical-activity monitoring and tumour-recurrence prevention.
- Yuanchi Zhang
- , Cairong Li
- & Yuxiao Lai
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Article
| Open AccessUltrasound-activated piezo-hot carriers trigger tandem catalysis coordinating cuproptosis-like bacterial death against implant infections
Implantation-associated infections often lead to infections. Here, the authors propose a piezo-based nanoreactor to achieve US-excited tandem catalysis, endowing the polyetherketoneketone bone scaffold with on-demand antibacterial and osteogenic capacities.
- Yanli Huang
- , Xufeng Wan
- & Duan Wang
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Article
| Open AccessA 3D printable tissue adhesive
Tissue adhesives have received significant interest for their clinical utility but are typically incompatible with advanced manufacturing methods. Here, the authors introduce a 3D printable tissue adhesive for the fabrication of patches and devices for diverse biomedical applications.
- Sarah J. Wu
- , Jingjing Wu
- & Xuanhe Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessShape-recovery of implanted shape-memory devices remotely triggered via image-guided ultrasound heating
Focused ultrasound could be used to change the geometry of implanted shape-memory medical devices noninvasively. Here, the authors demonstrate this concept on large animal models, showing device removal and trigger drug release.
- Yang Zhu
- , Kaicheng Deng
- & William R. Wagner
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Article
| Open AccessFlexible switch matrix addressable electrode arrays with organic electrochemical transistor and pn diode technology
Organic neural implants hold considerable promise for biocompatible neural interfaces. Here, the authors employ polymer-based organic electrochemical diodes and transistors to develop neuron-sized complex circuits, enabling multiplexing without crosstalk and demonstrate that, when integrated onto ultra-thin plastic, these circuits achieve high performance while maintaining minimal invasiveness.
- Ilke Uguz
- , David Ohayon
- & Kenneth L. Shepard
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Article
| Open AccessSoft ferroelectret ultrasound receiver for targeted peripheral neuromodulation
Neurostimulators are often bulky and uncomfortable. Researchers report a wireless, leadless, and battery-free ultrasound receiver that wraps around the target peripheral nerve and allows precise modulation of organ function, providing a framework for future bioelectronic medicines
- Tong Li
- , Zhidong Wei
- & Zhang-Qi Feng
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Article
| Open AccessUltra-durable cell-free bioactive hydrogel with fast shape memory and on-demand drug release for cartilage regeneration
Achieving successful in vivo cartilage regeneration remains challenging. Here they present a cell-free, multiple hydrogen-bond crosslinked hydrogel loaded with tannic acid and Kartogenin with ultra-durable mechanical properties and stage-dependent drug release behavior to promote cartilage regeneration.
- Yuxuan Yang
- , Xiaodan Zhao
- & Xuesi Chen
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Article
| Open AccessStretchable piezoelectric biocrystal thin films
Developing piezoelectric biocrystals that are stretchable while maintaining structure and stable piezoelectricity is challenging. Here, Li et al. report an amino acid-based piezoelectric biocrystal with omnidirectional stretchability enabled by a truss-like network, for wearable and implantable devices.
- Jun Li
- , Corey Carlos
- & Xudong Wang
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Article
| Open AccessA synthetic metastatic niche reveals antitumor neutrophils drive breast cancer metastatic dormancy in the lungs
3D scaffolds can be used to recapitulate key aspects of the microenvironment of primary tumors and metastatic organs. Here the authors use subcutaneous porous 3D scaffold implants as a tool to study the immune signals in the lungs of metastatic breast cancer, revealing multifaceted roles of neutrophils in regulating lung metastasis.
- Jing Wang
- , Ramon Ocadiz-Ruiz
- & Lonnie D. Shea
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Article
| Open AccessInnovative design of minimal invasive biodegradable poly(glycerol-dodecanoate) nucleus pulposus scaffold with function regeneration
Minimally invasive implants have potential in treating intervertebral disc degeneration, but providing sufficient mechanical support is challenging. Here, the authors report the development of a nucleus pulposus scaffold, with properties designed to match those of native nucleus pulposus.
- Lizhen Wang
- , Kaixiang Jin
- & Yubo Fan
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Article
| Open AccessA biodegradable, flexible photonic patch for in vivo phototherapy
Illuminating internal organs and tissues with high controllability and adaptability remains challenging. Here the authors present a flexible, biodegradable photonic device called iCarP for large area, high intensity, wide spectrum, deeply penetrating, continuous or pulsatile illumination.
- Kaicheng Deng
- , Yao Tang
- & Yang Zhu
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Article
| Open AccessRectifying disorder of extracellular matrix to suppress urethral stricture by protein nanofilm-controlled drug delivery from urinary catheter
Various anti-fibrotic drugs have been applied to urethral stricture by irrigation or submucosal injection, but their clinical feasibility and effectiveness are limited. Here, the authors design a protein-based nanofilm-controlled drug delivery system with anti-biofilm properties that can be assembled on a catheter.
- Juanhua Tian
- , Delai Fu
- & Peng Yang
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Article
| Open AccessFueling sentinel node via reshaping cytotoxic T lymphocytes with a flex-patch for post-operative immuno-adjuvant therapy
Sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) represent the sites where micro-metastasis can first develop, however they are also important to mount effective anti-tumor immune responses. Here the authors describe the design of a flex-patch loaded with anti-PD-1 antibodies and immuno-adjuvant nanosheets, layered double hydroxide, to fuel anti-tumor immune response in the SLN for postsurgical breast cancer adjuvant therapy.
- Bei Li
- , Guohao Wang
- & Yunlu Dai
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Article
| Open AccessImplantable niche with local immunosuppression for islet allotransplantation achieves type 1 diabetes reversal in rats
Islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes management is hindered by the life-long need for immunosuppressive medications. Here, the authors report an islet encapsulation device with local anti-rejection drug release that achieves long-term diabetes reversal in male rats and reduces drug-related toxicity.
- Jesus Paez-Mayorga
- , Jocelyn Nikita Campa-Carranza
- & Alessandro Grattoni
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Article
| Open AccessNanozyme-reinforced hydrogel as a H2O2-driven oxygenerator for enhancing prosthetic interface osseointegration in rheumatoid arthritis therapy
Stem cell transplantation has huge potential but can suffer from effects caused by disease state microenvironment. Here, the authors report on the development of a nanozyme reinforced hydrogel for reactive oxygen species scavenging and the generation of dissolved oxygen, demonstrating improved osteointegration using the hydrogel.
- Yue Zhao
- , Shanliang Song
- & Yanli Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessMicrogel reinforced zwitterionic hydrogel coating for blood-contacting biomedical devices
Zwitterionic hydrogels are nonfouling and hemocompatibility but several key challenges such as weak mechanical strength and low adhesion hamper their application as coating materials for devices. Here, the authors report a microgel reinforced zwitterionic hydrogel with excellent mechanical robustness and anti-swelling properties.
- Mengmeng Yao
- , Zhijian Wei
- & Junjie Li
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Article
| Open AccessDynamic actuation enhances transport and extends therapeutic lifespan in an implantable drug delivery platform
Drug delivery implants suffer from diminished release profiles due to fibrous capsule formation over time. Here, the authors use soft robotic actuation to modulate the immune response of the host to maintain drug delivery over the longer-term and to perform controlled release in vivo.
- William Whyte
- , Debkalpa Goswami
- & Ellen T. Roche
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Perspective
| Open AccessWater as the often neglected medium at the interface between materials and biology
Key to life, water is an often overlooked or over-simplified factor in materials and biology. In this perspective the importance of water in biomaterials is discussed as well as the need to more carefully consider water’s role in every aspect of a biomaterial’s function.
- B. L. Dargaville
- & D. W. Hutmacher
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Article
| Open AccessFlexible ultrasound-induced retinal stimulating piezo-arrays for biomimetic visual prostheses
Electronic visual prostheses, or biomimetic eyes, have shown capability of restoring functional vision through electrical pulses artificially initiating neural responses. Here, authors demonstrate a flexible piezo-array for ultrasound-induced retinal stimulation.
- Laiming Jiang
- , Gengxi Lu
- & Qifa Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessWireless implantable optical probe for continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation in flaps and organ grafts
Although continuous monitoring of tissue oxygenation is critically important after tissue/organ graft procedures, current technologies have key limitations. Here, the authors develop a miniaturized, minimally invasive, self-anchoring optical probe and demonstrate continuous monitoring of oxygenation in porcine flap and organ models.
- Hexia Guo
- , Wubin Bai
- & John A. Rogers
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Article
| Open AccessElectrical modulation of transplanted stem cells improves functional recovery in a rodent model of stroke
Paul George and colleagues developed a conductive polymer system to enable stem cell delivery and electrical modulation in vivo. Employing this system improved functional stroke recovery in rodents and identified important repair pathways.
- Byeongtaek Oh
- , Sruthi Santhanam
- & Paul M. George
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Article
| Open AccessDivalent metal cations stimulate skeleton interoception for new bone formation in mouse injury models
Mechanisms underlying bone formation induced by divalent metal cations remain largely unknown. Here the authors show that these cations can activate the skeleton interoceptive circuit through the immune-neural axis to initiate new bone formation.
- Wei Qiao
- , Dayu Pan
- & Xu Cao
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Article
| Open AccessEngineering immunomodulatory and osteoinductive implant surfaces via mussel adhesion-mediated ion coordination and molecular clicking
Immune response and new tissue formation are important aspects of tissue repair but often only one aspect is considered in biomedical interventions. Here, the authors report on the use of a mussel-like surface coating to immobilize immune modulating metal ions and growth factors and demonstrated improved in vivo outcomes.
- Tao Wang
- , Jiaxiang Bai
- & Lianfu Deng
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Article
| Open AccessSelf-activating anti-infection implant
Bone implants with antibacterial and osteogenic properties are important for clinical applications, but creating both properties simultaneously remains challenging. Here, the authors demonstrate a self-activating implant using a hydroxyapatite and molybdenum disulfide coating which accelerates bone regeneration and at the same time prevents bacterial infection.
- Jieni Fu
- , Weidong Zhu
- & Shuilin Wu
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Article
| Open AccessPoint-of-care antimicrobial coating protects orthopaedic implants from bacterial challenge
Implant infection is the most common mode of joint replacement failure with serious complications. Here, the authors report on the in vivo application of a prophylactic coating technology that can incorporate a range of antibiotics and be applied in the operating room prior to implantation.
- Weixian Xi
- , Vishal Hegde
- & Tatiana Segura
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Article
| Open AccessBio-inspired poly-DL-serine materials resist the foreign-body response
Implantation-caused foreign-body response is a commonly encountered issue and can result in failure of implants. Here, the authors demonstrate that a highly water soluble, biocompatible, and easily accessible poly-DL-serine hydrogel can mitigate foreign-body response.
- Donghui Zhang
- , Qi Chen
- & Runhui Liu
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Article
| Open AccessNitrate-functionalized patch confers cardioprotection and improves heart repair after myocardial infarction via local nitric oxide delivery
Nitric oxide (NO) is an important gaseous signaling molecule with multiple physiological roles in cardiovascular system. Here the authors develop a cardiac patch with NO releasing function that favors heart repair after myocardial infarction.
- Dashuai Zhu
- , Jingli Hou
- & Qiang Zhao
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Article
| Open AccessHigh-throughput screening and rational design of biofunctionalized surfaces with optimized biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity
Optimizing the concentration of different functional peptides on a surface can be a complex process. Here, the authors report on the use of a click immobilization strategy to create gradients of two different functional peptides on a surface to screen different density functions for rapid optimization.
- Zhou Fang
- , Junjian Chen
- & Chuanbin Mao
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Article
| Open AccessAdaptive and multifunctional hydrogel hybrid probes for long-term sensing and modulation of neural activity
Neural probes for experimental studies can cause tissue damage. Here the authors describe a probe incorporated with a hydrogel structure for adaptive bending stiffness to enable insertion to the rodent brain while minimising tissue damage.
- Seongjun Park
- , Hyunwoo Yuk
- & Polina Anikeeva
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Article
| Open AccessLong-lasting renewable antibacterial porous polymeric coatings enable titanium biomaterials to prevent and treat peri-implant infection
Infection is a major problem for dental implants with current antibacterial coatings losing efficacy quickly. Here, the authors report on the N-halamine polymeric coating of titanium implants to create a long-lasting renewable antibacterial layer and demonstrate application in vivo.
- Shuyi Wu
- , Jianmeng Xu
- & Yan Li
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Article
| Open AccessOrgan-specific, multimodal, wireless optoelectronics for high-throughput phenotyping of peripheral neural pathways
Advances in wireless technologies have enabled internalisation of light sources, but organ specific illumination is challenging. Here, the authors present a durable, multimodal, wireless system enabling optogenetic stimulation of peripheral neurons within organs.
- Woo Seok Kim
- , Sungcheol Hong
- & Sung Il Park
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Article
| Open AccessStretchable, dynamic covalent polymers for soft, long-lived bioresorbable electronic stimulators designed to facilitate neuromuscular regeneration
Bioresorbable electronic stimulators can deliver electrical stimulation in rodents to enhance functional muscle recovery after nerve injury. Here, the authors present a bioresorbable dynamic covalent polymer that enables reliable, long-lived operation of soft, stretchable devices of this type.
- Yeon Sik Choi
- , Yuan-Yu Hsueh
- & John A. Rogers
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Article
| Open AccessEngineered immunological niches to monitor disease activity and treatment efficacy in relapsing multiple sclerosis
Monitoring changes in immune phenotype during the progression of multiple sclerosis can provide insight into disease progression and inform treatment. Here the authors develop engineered biomaterial-based immunological niches for easy access to innate immune cells in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.
- Aaron H. Morris
- , Kevin R. Hughes
- & Lonnie D. Shea
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Article
| Open AccessA flexible and physically transient electrochemical sensor for real-time wireless nitric oxide monitoring
Real-time continuous sensing of biological analytes is of importance in a range of biomedical applications. Here, the authors report on a flexible and physically transient sensor for the detection of nitric oxide and demonstrate applications in nitric oxide sensing in organs ex vivo and in vivo.
- Rongfeng Li
- , Hui Qi
- & Lan Yin
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Article
| Open AccessMagnetically driven active topography for long-term biofilm control
Biofilm formation is a major problem in indwelling medical devices. Here, the authors report on the development of a magnetically responsive micro pillar surface for the controlled prevention and removal of biofilms which also increased sensitivity to antibiotics.
- Huan Gu
- , Sang Won Lee
- & Dacheng Ren
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Article
| Open AccessMicrochannel network hydrogel induced ischemic blood perfusion connection
Restoration of blood flow to damaged sites has commonly involved treatment with pro-angiogenic molecules but these have undesired side effects. Here the authors present a microchannel-patterned gelatin hydrogel that is able to rescue mouse and porcine models of hindlimb ischemia.
- Jung Bok Lee
- , Dae-Hyun Kim
- & Hak-Joon Sung
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Article
| Open AccessZwitterionically modified alginates mitigate cellular overgrowth for cell encapsulation
Cellular overgrowth and fibrosis in the foreign body response can compromise the function of transplanted cells. Here, the authors report on the zwitterionically modified alginates for the encapsulation of cells to reduce cellular overgrowth and demonstrate application in mice, dogs and pigs.
- Qingsheng Liu
- , Alan Chiu
- & Minglin Ma
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Article
| Open AccessPreclinical safety study of a combined therapeutic bone wound dressing for osteoarticular regeneration
Arthroplasty is the main clinical option for the treatment of osteoarticular lesions, but has limited efficacy. Here, the authors use a wound dressing with autologous mesenchymal stromal cells, functionalised for local BMP2 delivery, and show feasibility and safety in standardised preclinical tests in animal models, suggesting suitability for use in clinical trials.
- Laetitia Keller
- , Luc Pijnenburg
- & Nadia Benkirane-Jessel
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Article
| Open AccessRapid evaluation of bioactive Ti-based surfaces using an in vitro titration method
In vitro testing of implant materials bioactivity is important and the current methods take time. Here, the authors report on the development of a faster titration based method for assessing the mineralization activity of materials and validate the method in vitro and in vivo using titanium surfaces.
- Weitian Zhao
- , David Michalik
- & Paul Bowen
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Article
| Open AccessPlant-inspired adhesive and tough hydrogel based on Ag-Lignin nanoparticles-triggered dynamic redox catechol chemistry
Biomimetic catechol-based adhesives have attracted significant interest but can lose adhesion due to excessive oxidation. Here, the authors report on the addition of silver-Lignin nanoparticles as a dynamic catechol redox system to maintain catechol/quinone balance, making a reusable, antibacterial bioadhesive.
- Donglin Gan
- , Wensi Xing
- & Xiong Lu
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Article
| Open AccessNanowire arrays restore vision in blind mice
The restoration of light response using retinal prosthesis could be a way to restore vision following retinal degenerative disease. Here the authors develop gold-titania nanowire arrays that restore visual response in blind mice.
- Jing Tang
- , Nan Qin
- & Gengfeng Zheng
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Article
| Open AccessBioengineering of injectable encapsulated aggregates of pluripotent stem cells for therapy of myocardial infarction
Stem cell therapy of myocardial infarction is hampered by poor survival of injected cells. Here the authors develop injectable aggregates of stem cells differentiated to an early cardiac stage and encapsulated in a biodegradable micromatrix, and show their enhanced therapeutic efficacy in a heart infarction mouse model.
- Shuting Zhao
- , Zhaobin Xu
- & Xiaoming He
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Article |
In vivo capture and label-free detection of early metastatic cells
Tumour metastasis is a significant source of mortality, often because it is detected at an advanced stage. In this study, in an effort to identify metastasis at an early stage, Azarin et. al. capture and image metastasizing cells in mice in vivousing a biomaterial scaffold.
- Samira M. Azarin
- , Ji Yi
- & Lonnie D Shea
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Article
| Open AccessMind-controlled transgene expression by a wireless-powered optogenetic designer cell implant
Brain–machine interfaces offer the possibility of controlling prosthetic devices using changes in brain activity. Folcher et al.couple such a system wirelessly to an optogenetic implant in mice to control expression of a transgene, demonstrating its potential for mind-controlled drug delivery.
- Marc Folcher
- , Sabine Oesterle
- & Martin Fussenegger
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Article |
A cortical–spinal prosthesis for targeted limb movement in paralysed primate avatars
Brain–machine interfaces are being investigated for recovery of motor function after paralysis. Shanechi et al.present a neural prosthesis that decodes premotor neuronal activity in an alert monkey to activate spinal neurons and muscles that produce target-directed movements in a sedated monkey or avatar.
- Maryam M. Shanechi
- , Rollin C. Hu
- & Ziv M. Williams
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Article |
Cortical responses elicited by photovoltaic subretinal prostheses exhibit similarities to visually evoked potentials
Visual prosthetics based on photovoltaic devices have been proposed to allow the functional restoration of lost sight. Mandel et al. assess the retinal responses to implanted retinal prosthetics in rats with degenerate retinas and find that they elicit responses in the visual cortex when stimulated by light.
- Yossi Mandel
- , Georges Goetz
- & Daniel Palanker