Neural Dust and Ultrasound to Monitor Nerves

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Scientific American, in 2016, published an article titled "'Neural Dust' Could enable a Fitbit for the Nervous System." In the article the author describes the methodology behind inserting tiny transceivers that use ultrasound waves to communicate wirelessly and without external power source the status or activity of a nerve.

The authors describe the benefits of a small implantation, reducing infection risk and tissue damage around the implantation, as well as the benefits of being able to monitor multiple probes deep inside the tissues without the need for connecting wires or large electromagnetic-wave using probes. These "motes," made of small crystals and materials sensitive to sound convert the energy of a nearby nerve into a signal able to be communicated through the ultrasound setup.

This technological potential is exciting, as it offers a possibility to monitor deeply embedded nerves and nerve tracts, even in the brain. Being able to, with minimal invasion, establish a neural reporting system could help observe reflexive behavior at a deeper level, or identify neural activation in the brain without the need of an fMRI. I'm interested to see if it could also be used as an exterior status monitor for individuals unable to communicate, showing organ activation or sensory stimulation in damaged regions.

The article:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/neural-dust-could-enable-a-fitbit-for-the-nervous-system/

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