HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE BLACKROCK MICRO MOLDED ARRAYS (BRMMA)

描述（由申请人提供）：在过去的二十年中，尽管神经义肢领域通过神经接口的新架构的发展获得了巨大的动力，但是到目前为止，还没有一种设备可以被称为该领域的“金标准”。因此，每个实验室的研究和技术环境都是独特的，需要高水平的定制和集成。该应用程序的目标是设计一种“一体化技术”，包括硅（如犹他和密歇根阵列）和聚合物阵列的资产（如超高宽高比、多通道、柔性衬底、互连等），并减轻其局限性。最重要的是，它为研究实验室提供了一种高度定制的“穷人解决方案”。在本应用中，我们提出了一种基于微成型技术的平台技术，称为Blackrock微成型阵列（BRMMA），该技术可以开发高度可定制且价格合理的微设备，而不会影响神经探针的电气和机械性能、可靠性和耐用性等特性。BRMMA提供高度定制的设计规则，包括表面和穿透电极。它允许最终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），并选择每个轴的活性通道数量，活性位点的位置和材料，轴的形状和尺寸等。由Blackrock Microsystems开发的BRMMA将生产相关的统计数量的设备，用于长期使用的体外和体内功能测试。BRMMA将由Blackrock Microsystems向神经科学研究界销售。

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.