Hybrid Nanogenerator Based Closed-loop Self-powered Low-level Vagus Nerve Stimulation System For Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Vagus nerve electrical stimulation is a common method to study neuromodulation.It employs pulses to affect the normal conduction of the vagus nerve,consequently modulating the regular physiological functions of organisms and treating diseases caused by nervous system abnormalities.Closed-loop vagus nerve electrical stimulation system refers to the delivery of electrical stimulation when certain physiological states or conditions are met.At present,the closed-loop vagus nerve electrical stimulation system has been widely used for chronic diseases such as epilepsy,chronic pain,and Parkinson’s disease.In addition,vagus nerve electrical stimulation without reducing sinus heart rate or atrioventricular conduction is known as low-level vagus nerve stimulation（LL-VNS）.The mechanism atrial fibrillation（AF）occurs reveals that the interaction between AF and remodeling of the autonomic nervous system constitutes a vicious circle and make the condition rapidly exacerbated.LLVNS is a promising therapeutic method for AF that can suppress the autonomic nervous system remodeling to prevent the vicious circle.However,the current neurostimulators cannot meet the stimulation parameters of LL-VNS in real time,and there are many challenges that still need to be overcome,in terms of miniaturization,safety,and durability of bioelectric stimulation devices.Aim at such problems,this article designs a closed-loop self-powered LL-VNS system based on a hybrid nanogenerator（H-NG）for the treatment of AF.The system uses a smart bracelet to monitor the patient’s pulse wave and transmits the signal to the mobile phone via Bluetooth to analyze the pulse wave.Based on the system,patients can monitor their health status in real time and receive early warning signals when AF occurs,so that patients can drive the hybrid nanogenerator to stimulate the vagus nerve according to their requirements to achieve therapeutic effects.The following are the primary aspects of this paper’s main work: 1.This paper first designs an implantable H-NG.The benefits of this electrical stimulation device are flexibility,portability,long-term work,self-powered,and good biocompatibility.2.In order to avoid the side effects of long-term LL-VNS,this paper designs a closed-loop self-powered LL-VNS system,which can meet the stimulation parameters of LL-VNS and provide long-term treatment when AF occurs.This strategy not only fits the needs of patients,but it also minimizes additional neurostimulation comorbidities.3.This paper studies the effect of LL-VNS based on H-NG in the treatment of AF via animal experiments.Researches show that LL-VNS reduces the AF duration and the inflammation level after AF,and amerliorate the pathological changes.4.Overall,this article believes that this kind of symbiotic bioelectronic device is promised to be used in the management and treatment of more chronic rhythmic diseases.