Conventional strategies for the management of acute pain have significant limitations. Pharmaceutical approaches carry risks for addiction and misuse. Standard implantable devices require secondary surgeries for removal and physical tethers to external systems for power and control. Recent work on bioresorbable electrical stimulators overcomes certain of these drawbacks, but existing versions still depend on transcutaneous leads. Here, we introduce a platform that employs thermal mechanisms for nerve block to bypass some of these limitations. The system integrates both a Joule heating element and a resistive temperature sensor in a soft cuff structure as a nerve interface, in which most of the materials are bioresorbable over a clinically relevant timeframe. This design enables precise control of nerve temperature within a safe range (≤45°C) for effective nerve block through a feedback-guided strategy that continuously monitors temperature and adjusts current in real time. Options for wireless power delivery eliminate the need for external interfaces. Small animal model studies confirm the reversible and non-invasive operation of this system. The results demonstrate effective suppression of compound nerve action potentials in response to thermal stimulation, with recovery of nerve conduction upon cooling. These findings highlight the potential of this platform as a safe and effective solution to acute pain management.

A meshless method is used to simulate the Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) in a micropump intended to treat nerve injury. Conventional meshbased methods can suffer from mesh deformation and quality issues, and find it difficult to track the fluid-structure interface. The Material Point Method (MPM) combines Lagrangian material points with an Eulerian computational grid, thereby avoiding any mesh related problems. To simulate the valve dynamics in the micropump, MPM was used to analyze the effect of the valve length on the behaviour of the pump. A longer valve length takes longer to open, as it sticks to the valve seat, meaning the pump needs to generate more pressure to open the valve. This contribution shows that MPM simulations can be used to optimize the valve design for implantable micropumps.

Magnetothermal stimulation is key in biomedical applications like tumor ablation, drug delivery, and regenerative therapies. A common method involves injecting magnetic particles that heat under an alternating magnetic field (AMF). However, uncontrolled heating can damage healthy tissues. Maintaining temperatures below 45 °C is critical. Using materials with a Curie temperature (Tc) near this limit offers a self-regulating solution, as magnetization—and thus heating—drops sharply at Tc. This study explores Mn0.65Fe1.30P0.65Si0.37 (MCM), a magnetocaloric material composed of non-toxic elements and featuring a tunable Tc. It is engineered to exhibit a Tc of 43 °C, close to the safe physiological threshold. MCM particles are encapsulated in a wax matrix to form a composite that responds to AMF exposure. Heat generated by MCM particles triggers the wax phase transition, while the obtained Tc enables the composite to achieve self-limiting thermal regulation under magnetic field exposure. Biocompatibility tests using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) show over 90% cell viability in direct and indirect contact. Stability tests in phosphate buffers at 37 °C confirm controlled degradation over 28 days. These results demonstrate that MCM is a promising, burn-free magnetic material for safe, localized heating, supporting its use in self-regulating, temperature-responsive biomedical systems.

Peripheral Nerve Injury (PNI) leads to significant motor and sensory impairments, with limited recovery potential in injuries exceeding 3 cm, Conventional treatments often fail to achieve full functional restoration. Suction-based approaches at lesion sites have demonstrated promising outcomes in nerve regeneration. This work presents a novel wireless, magnetically actuated micropump composed of biodegradable materials, such as poly(octamethylene-maleate(anhydride)citrate) (POMaC), for nerve repair applications. The micropump integrates a magnetic ring within its membrane, enabling deflection under alternating magnetic field (4Hz,pm 150mT), generating a net under-pressure of 1.3 kPa within 8 minutes. It provides a potential solution to facilitate nerve healing.