HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE BLACKROCK MICRO MOLDED ARRAYS (BRMMA)

描述(申请人提供)：在过去的二十年里，虽然神经假体领域通过开发新的神经接口架构而获得了巨大的发展势头，但到目前为止，还没有一个设备可以被命名为该领域的“黄金标准”。因此，每个实验室的研究和技术环境都是独一无二的，需要高度的定制和整合。此应用程序的目标是设计一种包含资产(如超高宽高比、多通道、柔性基板、互连等)的“一体化技术”。硅(例如犹他州和密歇根阵列)和基于聚合物的阵列，并减轻它们的限制。最重要的是，它为研究实验室提供了高度定制化的“穷人解决方案”。在这一应用中，我们提出了一种基于微成型技术的平台技术，称为BlackRock Micro Molding Arrares(BRMMA)，它可以在不影响神经探头的电气和机械性能、可靠性和耐用性等特性的情况下，开发出高度可定制和负担得起的微型设备。BRMMA提供高度定制化的设计规则，包括表面电极和穿透电极。它允许终端用户第一次根据他们的假设来决定他们自己的电极设计(在BRMMA的设计规则中指定)，并选择每个轴的有效通道的数量、用于有效位置的位置和材料、轴的形状和大小等。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In the last two decades though the field of neuroprosthetics has gained tremendous momentum through the development of novel architectures for neural interfaces, however, till date there is no device which can be nomenclatured as the "gold standard" in the field. As a result the research and technology environment at each laboratory is unique and require a high-level of customization and integration. The objective of this application is to devise a "one-in-all technology" that encompasses the assets (such as ultra high aspect ratio, multi- channels, flexible substrate, interconnection etc.) of the silicon (such as the Utah and Michigan array) and polymer based arrays and mitigates their limitations. Most importantly it provides a highly customized and "poor man's solution" to research laboratories. In this application we present a platform technology, called Blackrock Micro Molding Arrays (BRMMA), based on micro molding technique, which enables devolvement of highly customizable and affordable micro devices without compromising the characteristics of the neural probe such as electrical and mechanical properties, reliability, and durability. BRMMA offers highly customized design rules which include surface and penetrating electrodes. It allow the end users for the first time to dictate their own electrode design (specified within the design rules of BRMMA) as per their hypothesis, and choose the number of active channels per shaft, location and material used for active sites, shape and size of the shaft etc. BRMMA developed by Blackrock Microsystems would produce relevant statistical number of devices to test in vitro and in vivo functionality for long term use BRMMA would be marketed to the neuroscience research community by Blackrock Microsystems.