Self-Motile Electrodes for Three Dimensional, Non-perturbative Recording and Stimulation

 描述(申请人提供)：从少量的神经深度记录电极过渡到数千个不仅需要考虑数据管理，还需要考虑如何以非破坏性的方式将这些电极输送到所需的大脑区域。简单地开发更大的平面探针，在表面填充更多的电极会增加免疫反应，由于大的外来底物的存在而导致神经元扰动的可能性，以及有限的空间采样分布。在这里，我们建议打破机械僵硬的航天飞机插入电极的范例，而是开发出超小型“SLF可移动”电极阵列，每个电极都能够依靠自己的动力移动到目标区域，并且对周围细胞的扰动最小。这一过程是基于为微流体开发的电渗透驱动，它推动流体沿电极表面。我们将研究将微米级柔性电极引导到特定位置的器件设计和电气优化。这将得到有机电化学晶体管作为记录元件的补充，有机电化学晶体管对小尺寸的敏感程度低于金属电极垫。最小细胞扰动、超小维度和任意三维分布的组合将创建一个高度功能的电极网络，以记录和调节整个大脑的复杂神经行为。这种无扰动、高密度的采样平台可能会对基础神经科学和临床应用(如脑机接口)产生革命性的影响。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Transitioning from small numbers of neural depth recording electrodes to many thousands requires consideration not only of data management, but also how to non-destructively deliver these electrodes into the desired brain regions. Simply developing larger planar probes with more electrodes packed onto the surface invites increased immune response, likelihood of neuronal perturbation due to the presence of the large foreign substrate, and limited spatial sampling distributions. Here we propose to break the paradigm of mechanically stiff shuttles to insert electrodes, but instead will develop arrays of ultra-small 'slf-motile' electrodes that are each able to move to a target region under their own power, and with minimal perturbation of surrounding cells. This process is based upon electro-osmotic drives developed for microfluidics, which propel fluid along the electrode surface. We will investigate the device design and electrical optimization for guiding micron scale, flexible electrodes to specific locations. This will be complemented by organic electrochemical transistors as the recording elements, which are less sensitive to small sizes than metal electrode pads. The combination of minimal cell perturbation, ultra-small dimensions, and arbitrary three dimensional distributions will create a highly functional network of electrodes to record and modulate complex neural behavior throughout the brain. This non-perturbative, high-density sampling platform could have revolutionary impact both for fundamental neuroscience as well as clinical applications, such as brain-machine interfaces.