Wireless brain chips self-implant after injection, heal from within

MIT researchers have developed microscopic, wireless bioelectronic devices called “circulatronics” that can be injected into the bloodstream and autonomously self-implant in targeted brain regions without invasive surgery. These ultra-small devices, about one-billionth the length of a grain of rice, combine nanoelectronics with living biological cells, allowing them to evade immune rejection and naturally cross the blood-brain barrier. Once implanted, they can be wirelessly powered to stimulate neurons with micrometer precision, offering potential treatments for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, brain cancer, and brain inflammation. The circulatronics were successfully tested in animal trials, where they navigated the circulatory system to deliver localized neuromodulation without harming surrounding neurons. Fabricated using CMOS-compatible processes and integrated with living cells, these biohybrid implants create a brain-computer symbiosis that could revolutionize neural disease treatment, especially where traditional therapies fail. The research team, led by Deblina Sarkar at MIT