Introduction to the Breakthrough Neural Implant Technique
A groundbreaking study led by professors at Dartmouth Engineering has unveiled a novel technique for integrating electronic implants with the brain’s surface. This innovative approach not only facilitates safe, long-term medical access to the brain but also promotes the healing of the skull post-implantation. The research, conducted by Alexander Boys and Katie Hixon, combines the fields of thin-film bioelectronics and regenerative tissue engineering. Their findings are published in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies and will be featured on its cover in March.
Combining Expertise for Dual Solutions
Katie Hixon, known for her work on bone regeneration in the skull, and Alexander Boys, who has developed neural interfaces for various applications, collaborated to address two significant challenges. The first challenge was developing a method for long-term access to larger brain regions, and the second was enabling the regrowth of the skull over an implanted electronic device.
Integration of Thin-Film Electronics and Cryogel Scaffolds
The study demonstrates the successful integration of thin-film recording arrays from Boys’ lab with bone-regenerating cryogel scaffolds developed in Hixon’s lab. These scaffolds are composed of a degradable chitosan- and gelatin-based cryogel, designed to support cell infiltration and tissue integration through an interconnected macroporous architecture.
“We observed comparable bone formation between a cryogel-only scaffold and one with the integrated neural device,” Hixon noted. Importantly, no immune response was detected over a two-week period.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Directions
The study’s first authors, Ph.D. students Levi Olevsky and Jonathan Pelusi, emphasized the innovative nature of combining bioelectronics with tissue regeneration. “We are exploring ways to bridge the gap between organic and inorganic materials to create a direct interface,” Pelusi explained.
Traditionally, neurosurgeons must remove a portion of the skull to place electronic brain implants. Boys highlighted the limitations of current methods, which often involve cutting larger holes in the skull and using metal plates for implant placement. This new method aims to regrow the skull naturally while maintaining implant placement, potentially reducing complications associated with traditional closure methods.
Potential Applications and Advancements
The research team envisions several applications for this technology, including brain-computer interfaces, pain monitoring in orthopedics, and enhanced understanding of bone physiology. Hixon mentioned the potential for electrical stimulation of bone, which is already used clinically, and the possibility of making the scaffold more conductive.
The team is also interested in increasing the integration levels of tissue-engineered bioelectronic devices. Boys stated, “This study shows that combining these systems works independently, which is promising for future advancements.”
Collaborative Environment and Future Research
The research team includes additional members such as Amir Khan, Peter Bertone, Aleyna La Croix, Avery Jones, and Caleb Stewart. The collaborative environment at Dartmouth, including partnerships with the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Geisel School of Medicine, fosters a synergistic approach to research.
“We have a lot of overlap, and our students are closely integrated,” Hixon said. The team holds monthly “synergy sessions” to share progress and identify collaboration opportunities.
Pelusi emphasized the collaborative spirit at Dartmouth, where labs work together to produce unique solutions without competition. This environment is crucial for advancing the field of neural implants and regenerative medicine.
Levi M. Olevsky et al, Interfacing Thin‐Film Bioelectronics with Bone Regenerative Cryogel Scaffolds for Transosseous Cortical Access, Advanced Materials Technologies (2025). DOI: 10.1002/admt.202500692
🔗 **Fuente:** https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-neural-implant-approach-regrows-skull.html
