A Stretchable Optogenetic Probe for Wireless Control of Bladder Nociception

Janghoon Joo; Hannah A. Anderson; Wooseok Kim; Shane H. Priester; Bogeun Kim; Firoj Alom; Doyoung Kim; Bhavana Talluri; Hee Kyu Lee; Joohoon Kang; Geumbee Lee; Jae-Young Yoo; Aaron D. Mickle; Sang Min Won

doi:10.1016/j.eng.2026.03.020

Engineering ›› :202603020 DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.03.020

research-article

A Stretchable Optogenetic Probe for Wireless Control of Bladder Nociception

Janghoon Joo ^a^,^#
, Hannah A. Anderson ^b^,^c^,^d^,^e^,^#
, Wooseok Kim ^a
, Shane H. Priester ^b^,^c
, Bogeun Kim ^a
, Firoj Alom ^b^,^e
, Doyoung Kim ^a
, Bhavana Talluri ^e
, Hee Kyu Lee ^a
, Joohoon Kang ^f
, Geumbee Lee ^g
, Jae-Young Yoo ^a^,^h
, Aaron D. Mickle ^b^,^c^,^d^,^e^,ⁱ^,^j^,^*
, Sang Min Won ^a^,^*

Author information +

^a Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea

^b Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine , University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA

^c J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL 32610, USA

^d Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA

^e Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA

^f Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University , Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea

^g Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University , Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea

^h Department of Semiconductor Convergence Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University , Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea

ⁱ Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA

^j Department of Urology, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA

^*E-mail addresses: amickle@mcw.edu (A.D. Mickle),

sangminwon@skku.edu (S.M. Won).

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Abstract

Wireless optogenetic systems enable precise manipulation of neural circuits in freely moving animals. However, challenges in accommodating tissue deformation and ensuring stable light delivery limit their application in dynamic organs such as the bladder. Here, we present a fully implantable wireless optogenetic system that addresses these challenges through a bioinspired design, incorporating an intrinsically stretchable polyurethane elastomer tube that encases microscale inorganic light-emitting diodes (µ-ILEDs) and associated electrodes. This design minimizes localized strains and maintains device integrity under cyclic tissue deformation. The system operates at 13.56 MHz via magnetic resonant coupling (MRC) for robust wireless power transfer and programmable light control, ensuring efficient energy harvesting across diverse environments. In vivo application in a mouse model of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced acute cystitis demonstrated that optogenetic activation of the inhibitory opsin ArchT in TRPV1-lineage sensory neurons modulated nociceptive signaling, as suggested by behavioral changes in a place preference assay. Additionally, the implant did not induce fibrotic encapsulation during the 8-day implantation period, suggesting favorable acutein vivo biocompatibility. These findings demonstrate the utility of this system for localized neuromodulation in deformable visceral tissues, with effective in vivo validation using a mouse model of bladder nociception.

Keywords

Stretchable optogenetic probe / Wireless bioelectronics / Bladder nociception / Implantable device

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Janghoon Joo, Hannah A. Anderson, Wooseok Kim, Shane H. Priester, Bogeun Kim, Firoj Alom, Doyoung Kim, Bhavana Talluri, Hee Kyu Lee, Joohoon Kang, Geumbee Lee, Jae-Young Yoo, Aaron D. Mickle, Sang Min Won. A Stretchable Optogenetic Probe for Wireless Control of Bladder Nociception. Engineering 202603020 DOI:10.1016/j.eng.2026.03.020

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