Integrated micro-electrodes and micro-capillaries for the study and control of neuronal activity

肌肉的过度反射和过度张力，通常被称为痉挛，是中风、脊髓损伤、多发性硬化症或严重脑外伤等运动障碍中常见的使人衰弱的现象。这项工作旨在探索一种可能的长期和适应性的治疗途径，通过利用标准硅和微机电系统（MEMS）制造方法，形成微米尺度的电极阵列，与微血管一起形成，目的是将这些电极植入大脑和脊柱中进行局部刺激和传感。材料和尺寸的选择将尽可能减少不良影响，希望这可以提供一种长期的方法来接收、刺激和控制创伤后的神经信号，如脊髓损伤或中风。这在技术上具有挑战性和创新性，也将首次允许对脊柱内的神经元信号进行更详细和全面的微米精度研究。电和药理学的外部刺激（使用定向皮升量的药物），加上电传感和反馈，是独一无二的，允许迄今为止不可能的操作水平，理解并因此控制神经行为，并且没有全身药物治疗的缺点。这项工作的最终目标是使用适应性强的电子和药物信号来控制疼痛和运动反应（以及智能假肢）。

Hyper-reflexia and hyper-tonicity of the muscles, commonly referred to as spasticity, is a common and debilitating phenomenon in motor disorders like stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis or severe brain trauma. This work aims to explore a possible long term and adaptable treatment route via the exploitation of standard silicon and Micro-Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) manufacturing methods to form micron scale electrode arrays formed alongside micro-capillaries with the intention of implanting these electrodes in the brain and spine for localized stimulation and sensing. The materials and sizes will be chosen to have the least possible adverse effects and it is hoped that this can provide a long term means of receiving, stimulating and control of nerve signals after trauma such as spinal cord injury or stroke.This is technically challenging and novel and would also permit for the first time a much more detailed and comprehensive study of neuronal signals with micron precision within the spine. External stimulation both electrical and pharmacological (using directed picolitre quantities of drugs), together with electrical sensing and feedback, is unique, allowing a hitherto impossible level of manipulation, understanding and thereby control, of neurological behaviour, and without the drawbacks of systemic drug treatments. Ultimately the aim of the work will be to control pain and motor responses (and smart prosthetics) using adaptable electronic and pharmacological signals.