Medical Electronics
The future of electroceuticals: transforming healthcare with bioelectronic medicine
By John Tinson, VP sales & marketing, Ilika Technologies T
he pharmaceutical industry has revolutionised healthcare, saving billions of lives through the development of medications that treat a vast range of diseases. However, pharmaceuticals also come with signifi cant drawbacks, including addiction, diminishing effectiveness, and severe side effects. The opioid crisis exemplifi es these issues, with nearly 600,000 deaths in the U.S. and Canada over the past two decades. Projections suggest that number may reach 1.2 million by 2029. While opioids are not the only problematic class of medications, their addictive nature highlights the urgent need for safer, more effective alternatives. Governments and pharmaceutical companies are now exploring alternative treatments that reduce reliance on traditional drugs. While meditation, exercise, and temperature therapy offer some relief, they are not universally effective. The most promising alternative to pharmaceuticals is neurostimulation, which uses electrical impulses to modulate the nervous system. Though this technology has been around for decades, recent advancements in electronics, miniaturisation, and neuroscience are making it far more effective and accessible.
Neurostimulation: the foundation of electroceuticals
Neurostimulation works by delivering controlled electrical signals to the nervous system via implanted electrodes. These signals can block pain pathways, regulate organ function, or restore lost sensory input. The technology is already widely used in pacemakers, cochlear implants, and deep brain stimulation devices. It has shown effectiveness in treating chronic pain, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and even heart arrhythmias.
However, traditional neurostimulation devices face several challenges. Many require patients to visit medical facilities for
16 May 2025
Illustration of Deep Brain Stimulator implanted in chest
treatment, limiting accessibility. The need for external wires increases infection risks, while fully implanted devices often necessitate invasive surgery. Additionally, current battery-powered implants require bulky power sources, leading to frequent surgical battery replacements.
The rise of electroceuticals Recent advancements in bioelectronic medicine - the intersection of neurostimulation and miniaturised electronics - are addressing these limitations. The next generation of neurostimulation devices, known as electroceuticals, are small, wireless, and implantable. These devices allow for closed-loop control, meaning they can monitor a patient’s condition in real time and adjust stimulation accordingly. Unlike pharmaceuticals, which act systemically and
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often come with side effects, electroceuticals target specifi c nerve pathways, reducing unwanted complications.
Electroceutical devices typically include:
A microprocessor to generate electrical signals and regulate treatment.
Example of electroceutical device
A power circuit that supplies energy to the electrodes.
Sensors that monitor biological conditions and provide feedback.
Wireless connectivity for remote adjustments and data sharing.
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