Emerging Implantable Sensor Technologies at the Intersection of Engineering and Brain Science

TL;DR

New implantable sensors are transforming brain science by enabling long-term, precise monitoring and interaction with neural tissues.

Contribution

The paper reviews recent innovations in implantable neural sensors, emphasizing their bio-integration and functional adaptability.

Findings

CMOS-integrated flexible probes and IGTs are advancing neural interfacing capabilities.

Multimodal sensors can simultaneously detect neurotransmitters and electrophysiological signals.

Wireless energy systems and data-efficient processing improve long-term sensor stability.

Abstract

Advances in implantable sensor technologies are revolutionizing the landscape of brain science by enabling chronic, precise, and multimodal interfacing with neural tissues. With the convergence of material science, electronics, and neurobiology, flexible, wireless, bioresorbable, and multimodal sensors are expanding the frontiers of diagnosis, therapy, and brain-machine interfacing. This review presents the latest breakthroughs in implantable neural sensor technologies, emphasizing bio-integration, signal fidelity, and functional adaptability. We highlight innovations such as CMOS-integrated flexible probes, internal ion-gated organic electrochemical transistors (IGTs), multimodal neurotransmitter-electrophysiology sensors, and wireless energy systems. Finally, we discuss the clinical potential, translational challenges, and future directions for brain science and neuroengineering. We further benchmark transduction and analytical performance in physiological media and outline in vivo calibration, antifouling/packaging, and on-node data-efficient processing for long-term stability.

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