MULTICHANNEL SILICON ELECTRODES IN NEURAL PROSTHESES: VISUAL, AUDITORY & MOTOR

用探针观察多通道活动或刺激 周边地区尤其具有挑战性。 一、简单渗透 神经轨道的研究比脑组织的研究要困难得多。 我们有 通过制造具有非常锋利尖端的探针解决了这个问题 使用浅硼扩散。 这些探针已被证明可以 比标准深度扩散的渗透更容易 提示。 当记录时也可以使用“筛”电极 再生神经纤维（Highstein 和 Bradley）。 这种类型的探头 有孔，纤维可以通过这些孔再生，并且记录位点 围绕孔。 第二个挑战涉及运动 相对于周围的固定点比在皮层或 脑干。 该装置必须以某种方式固定在神经轨道内 以及允许相对较大运动的电缆或传输系统 必须提供到互连区域。 我们已经包括了倒刺和 几种定制设计上的缝合环/孔以增强 位置稳定性。 这些设计上的电缆已开槽至 增加灵活性。 三、很多外围情况下的信号 必须传输相对较长的距离才能到达（或发送 来自）外部世界。 我们继续与 PI Medical 合作 俄勒冈州波特兰市为 Highstein 博士开发一个组合系统（参见 后处理和包装合作项目）。

Observation of multichannel activity or stimulation with probes in the periphery is particularly challenging. First, simple penetration of a nerve track is much more difficult than brain tissue. We have solved this problem by fabricating probes with very sharp tips formed using shallow boron diffusion. These probes have been shown to penetrate much more readily than those with standard deep diffused tips. "Sieve" electrodes can also be used when to record from regenerated nerve fibers (Highstein and Bradley). This type of probe has holes through which the fibers can regenerate, and recording sites which surround the holes. The second challenge involves motion with respect to surrounding fixation points is larger then in the cortex or brainstem. The device must somehow be fixed within the nerve track and a cable or transmission system which allows large motions relative to the interconnect area must be provided. We have included barbs and suture loops/holes on several of the custom designs to enhance positional stability. Cables on these designs have been slotted to increase flexibility. Third, in many peripheral situations signals must be transmitted a relatively long distance to reach (or be sent from) the external world. We continue to work with PI Medical in Portland, Oregon to develop a combined system for Dr. Highstein (see collaborative project on Post-processing and Packaging).