Engineers at Rice University in the United States have developed the smallest implantable brain stimulator available for human patients. With groundbreaking magneto electric power transmission technology, this pea sized device can be wirelessly powered, stimulating the brain through the dura mater (a protective membrane attached to the bottom of the skull). The study was published in the latest issue of Scientific Progress. A new technology called Digital Programmable Brain Therapy can completely change the treatment of drug-resistant depression and other mental or neurological disorders in a less invasive way than other brain computer interface devices. The existing implantable devices for brain stimulation are powered by relatively large batteries and connected to the stimulation device through long wires. This means that patients have to bear a significant burden of hardware implantation, the risk of wire breakage or failure, and the surgery required to replace batteries in the future. The new device can use an external transmitter to wirelessly power it, eliminating the need for battery power. This technology relies on a material that converts magnetic fields into electrical pulses. This conversion process is very effective at a small scale and has good misalignment tolerance, without the need for complex operations to activate and control. Researchers used it to stimulate the motor cortex of the patient's brain and produce hand motor responses. They also demonstrated that the device was stably connected to the brain in the experimental pig for 30 days. A 30 minute minimally invasive surgery can place the device in the bone above the brain. Implants and incisions are almost invisible, and patients can return home on the day of surgery. For certain diseases, such as epilepsy, the device may need to be permanently or mostly turned on. But for diseases such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, just a few minutes of stimulation per day is enough to bring about expected changes in the function of target neurons. In the future, patients can comfortably use this technology at home and have complete control over the treatment method. 【 Editor in Chief Circle 】 This study reminds people of a report that attracted widespread attention last year - Chinese doctors using brain computer interfaces to try to treat refractory depression. Electrodes are implanted into specific neural circuits in the brain to regulate the corresponding nuclei through electrical stimulation, allowing patients to regain the ability to obtain happiness. In this article, American engineers developed an implantable brain stimulator. It does not require battery power and is very convenient to operate. Many parts of the brain are still "black boxes" for us, but researchers try their best to write articles on known parts and use various methods to heal our sick brain. (Lai Xin She)