An Easy Nanopatch Promotes Peripheral Nerve Repair through Wireless Ultrasound‐Electrical Stimulation in a Band‐Aid‐Like Way

Abstract

AbstractLow‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and electrical stimulation (ES) are effective methods that promote neural repair. However, ES usually requires electrode implantation and a power supply, which are an inconvenience to future applications. Meanwhile, it is difficult to combine ultrasound and ES through traditional methods. Herein, a nanopatch consisting of an oriented barium titanate (BTO)‐incorporated polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber membrane for electricity generation and a layer of graphene oxide (GO)‐doped gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) for neural interaction is developed. This band‐aid‐like BTO@PCL/GO@GelMA nanopatch has an excellent piezoelectric performance. In vitro, the nanopatches significantly promote axonal growth under LIPUS treatment. In a rat model of erectile dysfunction caused by peripheral nerve injury, the nanopatch is easily attached to a damaged nerve similar to a band‐aid. With the assistance of ultrasound, some mechanical energy is converted into electricity by the nanopatch, and synergistic neural stimulation of ultrasound and electricity is achieved. In this way, the nanopatch significantly promoted corpus cavernosum nerve repair, resulting in the improvement of tissue structure and erectile function as well as increased conception rate in female rats. In conclusion, the nanopatch offers a synergistic ultrasound‐ES for nerve repair easily and represents a novel strategy for peripheral nerve repair.