| Abstract Scope |
The opioid epidemic has underscored the urgent need for non-pharmacological alternatives in managing refractory chronic pain. Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) affects up to 70% of cancer survivors, yet current analgesic strategies remain inadequate and carry significant addiction risk. Here, we present a fully bioresorbable cuff electrode delivering kilohertz-frequency alternating current (KHFAC) nerve block without requiring device retrieval. The electrode utilizes transient molybdenum conductors on a PLGA substrate with silk fibroin encapsulation. Electrochemical characterization of molybdenum provided a rational basis for predicting functional electrode lifetime under physiological conditions. A PBTPA buckle-structured neural interface was further developed to ensure conformal, strain-tolerant nerve coupling. KHFAC stimulation at optimized parameters (10–50 kHz) delivered 30 minutes daily for 3 consecutive days provided sustained pain relief in a paclitaxel-induced rat neuropathy model, significantly reducing mechanical allodynia. This platform offers a transient, opioid-free neuromodulation strategy for CIPN. |