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A persistent challenge in bioelectronics is that exposed plugs lead to microbial infections, while wireless charging antennas remain bulky.
Scientists at the University of California, Irvine have developed an implantable socket that remains under the skin and is accessed by simply inserting a needle.
Called Implantable Bioelectronic Output (IBO), the device remains under the skin until electrical access is needed for charging, maintenance or data retrieval.
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The researchers describe the implant as a general access point compatible with sensors, neural interfaces, stimulators and battery-powered systems already used in medicine.
The device consists primarily of a soft, spongy plastic containing pores approximately 150 micrometers wide, comparable to the diameter of a very fine needle.
The sponge was first immersed in a highly conductive polymer, covering its pores with a layer between 100 and 200 nanometers thick.
They then applied a silicone rubber solution to form a protective and electrically insulating jacket around the outer surface.
Several layers of coated sponge were sandwiched between layers of unmodified sponge and completely covered with silicone rubber to complete the module.
According to Hyung Joon Shim, a postdoctoral researcher in electrical engineering at UC Irvine, the device remains completely under the skin between uses.
A needle is inserted only when electrical access is necessary and is removed immediately afterwards.
In tests with mice and rats, researchers coupled the plugs with neural interface implants to recharge batteries and transfer data.
Data transfer reached almost 16 Mbps, matching the maximum possible speed of the implants during these experimental sessions.
Separate experiments with pigs combined the plugs with stimulation implants, delivering 20-microampere electrical pulses that lasted 100 milliseconds each for prolonged periods.
The porous structure resisted cracking after more than 100 needle insertions with gauges ranging from 18 to 30.
Moving from laboratory results to real-world applications
The implanted outlets remained in the mice for more than a year without degrading or causing visible complications.
Jennifer Gelinas, associate professor of pediatrics, anatomy and neurobiology at UC Irvine, said long-term safety is one of the most critical requirements for any implantable technology.
Since the test animals were anesthetized during the loading sessions, real-world use in awake patients would require different needle placement.
Gelinas suggested that medical tape or an adhesive bandage, similar to methods used for standard IV needles, could stabilize the connection point.
Passing a needle through the skin would likely cause brief discomfort comparable to a standard injection.
Future versions could incorporate smaller needles, topical anesthetics, or specialized coatings designed to reduce pain and inflammation during use.
Because the exit needle would not require a hollow channel for fluid administration, it could be made thinner than conventional injection needles.
Scientists say this output could complement wireless technology, reserving access to the needles specifically for fast charging or large data transfers.
That said, the research team cautioned that there is still a need to assess pain, infection risk, and tissue response in repeated access sessions before beginning any patient testing.
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