An Integrated Platform for In Vivo Neuromuscular Stimulation and Recording Using

描述(由申请人提供)：新型的脑、脊髓、外周神经和肌肉电生理接口的实现为神经系统功能的研究和假体设备的未来发展带来了巨大的希望。该项目的目标是开发和商业化使用可整合微电极阵列(MEAs)在神经组织和肌肉表面进行体内对接的集成平台。这些MEA是使用一种在顺应性聚二甲基硅氧烷(PDMS)衬底上实现多层布线和电极的技术进行微制造的，并在每个电极周围形成凸起的井，以促进与组织的紧密耦合。电子产品采用新颖的通孔键合封装技术进行集成，该技术实现了与软MEA基板的坚固、高密度电连接。定制的电子设备便于同时刺激和记录组织，以便控制和测量电活动。一期SBIR项目有两个研发目标，子目标如下：(1A)制造和测试符合要求的凸起MEAs，(1B)利用过孔键合技术将MEAs与专有电子设备集成，(2A)通过肌肉刺激和记录来验证系统性能，以及(2B)验证用于慢性植入的装置的生物兼容性。AIM 1将创建集成平台，并测试该技术的能力和稳健性，以供未来商业化。AIM 2将提供新的研究数据，以例证该平台作为研究神经肌肉功能的工具的力量。这些目标的成功实现将证明该技术的适用性和未来潜力。该项目将提供一个强大的工具，通过在组织表面的连接，弥合高侵入性穿透电极阵列和低保真皮肤界面之间的差距。该平台将促进对广泛的神经和神经肌肉疾病的研究，并将有潜力加强假肢和脑机接口的先进开发，以解决这些疾病的治疗问题。研究和临床应用的范围包括运动控制和神经肌肉疾病和障碍的研究，用于治疗脊髓损伤和失明等疾病的假肢的实施，以及用于癫痫诊断和后续治疗的脑机接口的开发。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The implementation of novel electrophysiological interfaces to the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles holds great promise for research into nervous-system function and for the future development of prosthetic devices. The goal of this project is the development and commercialization of an integrated platform for in vivo interfacing at the surface of neural tissue and muscle using conformable microelectrode arrays (MEAs). These MEAs are microfabricated using a technology that implements multilayer wiring and electrodes on a compliant polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate, and that creates a raised well around each electrode to facilitate tight coupling to the tissue. Electronics are integrated using a novel via bonding packaging technology that implements a robust, high-density electrical connection to the soft MEA substrate. The custom electronics facilitate the simultaneous stimulation and recording of the tissue in order both to control and to measure electrical activity. The Phase I SBIR project has two research and development aims with the following subaims: (1A) fabricate and test the compliant, raised-well MEAs, (1B) integrate the MEAs with proprietary electronics using the via bonding technology, (2A) validate the system performance by stimulating and recording from muscle, and (2B) validate the biocompatibility of the device for chronic implantation. Aim 1 will create the integrated platform and test the capability and robustness of the technology for future commercialization. Aim 2 will provide novel research data that will exemplify the power of the platform as a tool for the study of neuromuscular function. The successful completion of these aims will demonstrate both the applicability and the future potential of the technology. This project will provide a powerful tool that, by interfacing at the tissue surface, bridges the gap between highly invasive penetrating electrode arrays and low-fidelity cutaneous interfaces. The platform will facilitate research into a broad range of neurological and neuromuscular disorders and will have the potential to enhance the advanced development of prostheses and brain-machine interfaces to address the treatment of these disorders. The range of research and clinical applications includes the study of motor control and neuromuscular diseases and disorders, the implementation of prostheses to address conditions as far ranging as spinal-cord injury and blindness, and the development of brain-machine interfaces for the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of epilepsy.