Tejal Somvanshi
Stanford researchers have developed a remarkable new technology called Spiral-NeuroString (S-NeuroString), a soft electronic fiber about the width of a human hair that can monitor and stimulate tissues in the body. This tiny fiber, measuring just a quarter of a millimeter (230 micrometers) in diameter, can pack up to 1,280 electronic channels within its slim profile.
“There is great need, in both research and clinical settings, for these minimally invasive sensing and stimulation bioelectronics,” said Dr. Xiang Qian, co-director of Stanford’s eWear Initiative and a medical doctor specializing in neuromodulation for pain treatment.
What makes S-NeuroString special is its innovative “spiral transformation” manufacturing process. Researchers first create a flat, thin film with electronic components using standard microfabrication methods.
Then, they roll this film tightly like a Swiss roll, with sensors exposed on the surface while connecting wires spiral inside. This approach allows precise control of component placement and enables the high density of electronic channels.
Unlike existing medical probes that are rigid and bulky, S-NeuroString’s softness matches that of body tissues, reducing damage and inflammation. This makes it suitable for long-term implantation in soft, moving organs like the brain and intestines.
The team has already demonstrated S-NeuroString’s effectiveness in real-world tests. They successfully monitored intestinal activity in awake pigs and recorded the electrical signals of individual neurons in mouse brains over four months.
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Stanford pediatric surgeon James Dunn, who specializes in treating children with short gut syndrome, sees great potential in this technology. “To be able to stimulate the muscle and measure all these other things in a specific region will be transformative for my research and, potentially, my medical practice – NeuroString is a platform for us to understand how the intestine works,” Dunn said.
While the current research shows promising results in animal testing, the team envisions broader applications. Future versions might create “robotic pills” for diagnosing gastrointestinal conditions, ultra-thin endoscopes, or drug delivery systems similar to insulin pumps. The technology could also be used in smart fabrics, wearable devices, and soft robotics.
The research, published in the September 17, 2025 issue of Nature, represents a significant advance in bioelectronic technology. The combination of softness, high-density channels, and multi-functionality opens new possibilities for both medical research and eventual clinical applications.
However, challenges remain before clinical use becomes possible. The current version still requires wired connections, and questions about long-term biocompatibility, power supply, data handling, and safe retrieval from the body will need further research. These issues will be critical as researchers work to translate this promising laboratory technology into practical medical tools.
