A soft, wireless implant has been designed to treat inflammatory bowel disease by tapping into the body’s neural network.
Researchers have developed a fully hydrogel-based, battery-free device that modulates the splenic nerve to restore immune balance.
It offers a potential new therapy for chronic inflammatory conditions.
For millions suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), managing flare-ups often involves powerful drugs with significant side effects.
A new study published in National Science Review reports a novel approach: a soft, wireless implant that treats disease by modulating specific nerves that regulate immunity.
The research team from Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Tongji Hospital developed a ‘splenic nerve wireless stimulator’ (SpNWS).
The key innovation is that the entire device – its electrodes, interconnects, and wireless power receivers – is constructed from a specially engineered conductive hydrogel.
This material is as soft as biological tissues, highly stretchable, and conducts electricity efficiently.
Zhiqiang Luo, the corresponding author of the study, said: ‘The biggest challenges for long-term neural interfaces are mechanical mismatch and fibrosis caused by rigid implants. Our hydrogel device seamlessly conforms to delicate nerves, operates without batteries, and communicates wirelessly through the skin, which minimises long-term damage and rejection.’
The implant is designed to modulate the splenic nerve, a key pathway in the body’s inflammatory reflex. In a rat model of chronic colitis, the SpNWS device was implanted and activated wirelessly for 20 minutes daily.
The treatment led to a remarkable recovery, with reduced colon damage, less weight loss, and restored intestinal structure.
Mechanistic studies revealed that the electrical stimulation rebalanced the gut's immune environment. It suppressed pro-inflammatory T-cells (TH1/TH17) while promoting anti-inflammatory and regulatory T-cells (TH2/Treg). Crucially, after five weeks, the device showed excellent biocompatibility with no significant scar tissue encapsulation, a common problem that leads to the failure of conventional implants.
This work establishes a versatile platform for ‘electroceutical’ therapy.
The soft, wireless design could be adapted to interface with various nerves to treat a range of conditions, from rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes to metabolic disorders, ushering in a new era of bioelectronic medicine.
