Overview
- The subcellular wireless electronic devices were fused to immune cells that naturally home to inflammation, enabling autonomous targeting after intravenous injection.
- In mouse tests the hybrids migrated to experimentally inflamed deep‑brain regions and self‑implanted within roughly 72 hours.
- External near‑infrared light powered the implants to produce focal neuromodulation, with c‑Fos markers indicating activation confined to about 30 micrometers around the site.
- The chips measure on the order of 10 micrometers and harvest energy via a photovoltaic design, avoiding wires or internal batteries.
- MIT researchers have formed Cahira Technologies with a stated goal of entering clinical trials in about three years, with further safety studies and regulatory review still required.