Closed-loop wearable neurostimulation system with triboelectric sensing to alleviate hemifacial spasms

作者：Xuecheng Qu, Jiahao Wan, Haohan Zhao, Shunyuan Xu, Xiangrong Cheng, Bo Yang, Zhibin Li, Linhong Ji, Linhong Ji, Jinting Wu, Zhou Li, Chong Li, Jia Cheng, Chong Li · 发表于：Nature Communications · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1038/s41467-025-67121-9 · 被引用次数：11 · 研究领域：Trigeminal Neuralgia and Treatments、Botulinum Toxin and Related Neurological Disorders、Facial Nerve Paralysis Treatment and Research

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary contractions of the facial muscles, which can significantly influence patients’ quality of life. Traditional diagnostic methods are often subjective, and electromyography (EMG) monitoring is constrained by equipment limitations and interference. Current treatments include short-term Botulinum toxin (BTX) injections and high-risk microvascular decompression (MVD), both of which suffer from low patient compliance. This study introduces a closed-loop facial nerve stimulation system integrated into eyewear, featuring triboelectric sensors doped with butylated melamine formaldehyde (BMF)–CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO), and constructed with micrometer-scale hemispherical structures, which enhance performance by approximately 2.3 times. These sensors capture subtle dynamic signal changes in real-time, suitable for monitoring minute facial muscle activities, while consuming zero power. Additionally, a customized electrical stimulation module with adjustable parameters and a high-precision HFS detection model have been developed, enabling rapid activation of facial nerve stimulators for targeted neuromodulation upon detecting spasms. The system achieves a recognition accuracy of 98% for HFS. Preliminary clinical validation demonstrates effectiveness in reducing spasm severity with inter-patient variability in two involved patients. Overall, this integrated system offers enhanced convenience and patient compliance, pres...