Implantable, Wireless, and Power-Efficient Trimodal Neural Interface for Electro-Optogenetic Manipulation of Visual Cortex in Small Freely Behaving Animals

ECCS道具吗。第1407880号提案为解决视觉皮层高分辨率时空映射和闭环控制的关键挑战，本方案旨在实现一种集成、无线、三模态光电神经接口，从而更好地了解小动物视觉处理过程中大脑网络的结构和功能。行为自由的动物。摘要失明已经影响了全世界数以百万计的人，目前是无法治愈的。以皮质为基础的视觉假体被认为是一种治疗所有失明原因的方法。然而，由于视觉皮层的复杂组织和视网膜和外侧膝状核的视觉预处理，皮质植入物尚未实现视觉感觉恢复到有用的水平。因此，本课题的目标是实现一种新的神经接口，用于高分辨率刺激和记录视觉皮层的神经活动，从而更好地了解视觉处理过程中神经网络的结构和功能。这项研究提出的技术发展将产生新颖和可行的工具，用于与小动物的大脑网络进行无缝通信，通过这些工具，神经科学家可以显著地推动基础神经科学知识的发展。所开发的超低功耗微电子技术和先进的微加工技术可应用于其他植入式器件和生物医学系统。此外，拟议的项目将为学生提供不同层次的独特培训机会。综合外展活动将有效地将最先进的科学技术转化为当地K-12学校和社区可获得的教育资源。为了接触到更广泛的受众，研究结果将通过科学展览、出版物、讲习班和会议传播。技术摘要本方案的核心是开发一种无线三模态神经接口，与清醒、自由行为的动物主体中枢神经系统形成最全面的接口。特别是，多通道光电阵列将硬膜外发光二极管、皮质内微尺度波导和微电极集成在一个平台上，能够对特定细胞群的神经活动进行光/电刺激和电记录。可植入的超低功耗微电子片上系统将能够接收和处理神经记录数据，并驱动光/电神经刺激阵列。无线遥测链路将在外部数据采集/控制单元和植入的神经接口之间有效地传输电力和数据。这些关键部件将集成在机械柔性基板上，并由混合生物聚合物封装封装。将该集成无线神经接口植入麻醉后自由活动大鼠初级视觉皮层并进行表征，验证其无线神经记录和刺激的有效性。拟议的研究活动将由一个在生物医学、微电子和神经生理学领域具有互补研究专长的合作团队进行。这项研究目标的实现将为开发一种功能齐全的、基于皮层的视觉神经修复系统铺平道路，该系统能够为完全失明的人产生人工视觉。虽然该提案是专门为研究大脑的视觉功能而量身定制的，但所开发的技术也可用于大脑和神经系统的其他区域的功能映射和控制，特别是与运动功能相关的区域（例如脊髓和周围神经系统）。

ECCS Prop. No. 1407880Proposal Title: Implantable, Wireless, and Power-Efficient Trimodal Neural Interface for Electro-Optogenetic Manipulation of Visual Cortex in Small Freely Behaving AnimalsAward GoalThis proposal aims to realize an integrated, wireless, trimodal opto-electro neural interface to tackle the critical challenge of high-resolution spatiotemporal mapping and closed-loop control of visual cortex, which will enable better understanding of the structure and function of brain networks during visual processing of small, freely behaving animals. Nontechnical AbstractBlindness has affected millions of people worldwide, and at present is incurable. A cortically-based visual prosthesis is believed to provide a therapeutic solution for all causes of blindness. However, restoration of visual senses to a useful level has not yet been achieved with cortical implants, mainly due to the complex organization of visual cortex and visual preprocessing in the retina and the lateral geniculate nucleus. Therefore, the objective of this proposal is to realize a novel neural interface for high-resolution stimulation and recording of neural activity in visual cortex, which will enable better understanding of the structure and function of neural networks during visual processing. The proposed technology development of this research will yield novel and enabling tools for seamless communication with brain networks of small animals, by which neuroscientists could significantly move fundamental neuroscience knowledge forward. The developed ultra-low-power microelectronics and advanced microfabrication techniques can be applicable to other implantable devices and biomedical systems. In addition, the proposed project will offer unique training opportunities for students at multiple levels. Integrated outreach activities will effectively convert state-of-the-art science and technologies into educational resources accessible to local K-12 schools and communities. To reach broader audiences, the results will be disseminated through science fairs, publication, workshops and conferences. Technical AbstractAs the core of this proposal, a wireless, trimodal neural interface will be developed to form the most comprehensive interface with the central nervous system of awake, freely behaving animal subjects. In particular, a multichannel opto-electro array will incorporate epidural light emitting diodes, intracortical microscale waveguide, and microelectrodes in a single platform, capable of optogenetic/electrical stimulation and electrical recording of neural activity of specific cell populations. Implantable, ultra-low-power microelectronic system-on-a-chip will be able to receive and process neural recording data and drive the optical/electrical neural stimulating array. Wireless telemetry links will be implemented to transfer power and data efficiently between the external data-acquisition/control units and implanted neural interface. These key components will be integrated on a mechanically flexible substrate and encapsulated by a hybrid biopolymer package. The integrated wireless neural interface will be implanted and characterized in the primary visual cortex of anesthetized and freely behaving rats, in order to validate its efficacy for wireless neural recording and stimulation. The proposed research activities will be conducted by a collaborative team with complementary research expertise in the areas of bioMEMS, microelectronics, and neurophysiology. Achievement of the goals of this research will pave the road towards the development of a fully functional, cortically-based visual neuroprosthetic system capable of generating artificial vision for completely blind individuals. While the proposal is specifically tailored for studying the visual function of the brain, the developed technologies can also be used for functional mapping and controlling of other regions of the brain and nervous system, particularly those related to motor functions (e.g. spinal cord and peripheral nervous systems).