Multidimensional advances in neural interface technology for peripheral nerve repair: From material innovation to clinical translation

This review evaluates the research progress and clinical application potential of neural interface technology for peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Due to the limited endogenous regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system after injury, the impaired function of the innervated area seriously a...

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Main Authors: Jianchao Wu, Qixin Han, Dingkun Gui, Yun Qian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Materials Today Bio
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006623
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author Jianchao Wu
Qixin Han
Dingkun Gui
Yun Qian
author_facet Jianchao Wu
Qixin Han
Dingkun Gui
Yun Qian
author_sort Jianchao Wu
collection DOAJ
description This review evaluates the research progress and clinical application potential of neural interface technology for peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Due to the limited endogenous regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system after injury, the impaired function of the innervated area seriously affects the life quality of patients. Neural interfaces offer a transformative strategy for functional reconstruction by establishing bidirectional communication pathways between the nervous system and external devices. Through a critical analysis of high-impact literature, this article develops a comprehensive review framework encompassing four key dimensions: advancements in material science, technological innovation pathways, clinical translation validation, and existing challenges. Current evidence demonstrates that neural interface materials evolved from traditional rigid substrates to flexible conductive polymers, multifunctional nanocomposites, biodegradable bioactive scaffolds, and environmentally responsive smart materials. Technological breakthroughs include tissue-compliant flexible micro-nano fabrication, wireless self-powered systems, closed-loop neural feedback control, and multimodal precision modulation. Preclinical and clinical researches validated the therapeutic efficacy of neural interfaces in promoting axon regeneration, managing chronic pain, and restoring sensorimotor function. However, persistent challenges (such as limited long-term interfacial stability, post-implantation inflammatory responses, signal quality attenuation, and interindividual therapeutic heterogeneity) hinder widespread clinical adoption. Future research should prioritize interdisciplinary integration to develop: physiologically adaptive material interfaces, intelligent closed-loop modulation systems, personalized treatment strategies with predictive modeling, and mechanistic insights into neuro-electronic interface interactions. These advances will enable neural interface technologies to achieve biosafety, functional durability, and therapeutic precision for revolutionary treatment paradigms.
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spelling doaj-art-adf99a20b85842ef9ad707dbaad8e5a12025-08-20T02:41:20ZengElsevierMaterials Today Bio2590-00642025-10-013410209210.1016/j.mtbio.2025.102092Multidimensional advances in neural interface technology for peripheral nerve repair: From material innovation to clinical translationJianchao Wu0Qixin Han1Dingkun Gui2Yun Qian3National Center for Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Nephrology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Corresponding author.National Center for Orthopaedics, Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Corresponding author.This review evaluates the research progress and clinical application potential of neural interface technology for peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Due to the limited endogenous regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system after injury, the impaired function of the innervated area seriously affects the life quality of patients. Neural interfaces offer a transformative strategy for functional reconstruction by establishing bidirectional communication pathways between the nervous system and external devices. Through a critical analysis of high-impact literature, this article develops a comprehensive review framework encompassing four key dimensions: advancements in material science, technological innovation pathways, clinical translation validation, and existing challenges. Current evidence demonstrates that neural interface materials evolved from traditional rigid substrates to flexible conductive polymers, multifunctional nanocomposites, biodegradable bioactive scaffolds, and environmentally responsive smart materials. Technological breakthroughs include tissue-compliant flexible micro-nano fabrication, wireless self-powered systems, closed-loop neural feedback control, and multimodal precision modulation. Preclinical and clinical researches validated the therapeutic efficacy of neural interfaces in promoting axon regeneration, managing chronic pain, and restoring sensorimotor function. However, persistent challenges (such as limited long-term interfacial stability, post-implantation inflammatory responses, signal quality attenuation, and interindividual therapeutic heterogeneity) hinder widespread clinical adoption. Future research should prioritize interdisciplinary integration to develop: physiologically adaptive material interfaces, intelligent closed-loop modulation systems, personalized treatment strategies with predictive modeling, and mechanistic insights into neuro-electronic interface interactions. These advances will enable neural interface technologies to achieve biosafety, functional durability, and therapeutic precision for revolutionary treatment paradigms.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006623Neural interfacesPeripheral nerve injuryBiocompatible materialsNeuromodulation techniquesNeural functional reconstructionClinical translation
spellingShingle Jianchao Wu
Qixin Han
Dingkun Gui
Yun Qian
Multidimensional advances in neural interface technology for peripheral nerve repair: From material innovation to clinical translation
Materials Today Bio
Neural interfaces
Peripheral nerve injury
Biocompatible materials
Neuromodulation techniques
Neural functional reconstruction
Clinical translation
title Multidimensional advances in neural interface technology for peripheral nerve repair: From material innovation to clinical translation
title_full Multidimensional advances in neural interface technology for peripheral nerve repair: From material innovation to clinical translation
title_fullStr Multidimensional advances in neural interface technology for peripheral nerve repair: From material innovation to clinical translation
title_full_unstemmed Multidimensional advances in neural interface technology for peripheral nerve repair: From material innovation to clinical translation
title_short Multidimensional advances in neural interface technology for peripheral nerve repair: From material innovation to clinical translation
title_sort multidimensional advances in neural interface technology for peripheral nerve repair from material innovation to clinical translation
topic Neural interfaces
Peripheral nerve injury
Biocompatible materials
Neuromodulation techniques
Neural functional reconstruction
Clinical translation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425006623
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AT dingkungui multidimensionaladvancesinneuralinterfacetechnologyforperipheralnerverepairfrommaterialinnovationtoclinicaltranslation
AT yunqian multidimensionaladvancesinneuralinterfacetechnologyforperipheralnerverepairfrommaterialinnovationtoclinicaltranslation