Fluidic microdrives for minimally invasive actuation of flexible electrodes

用于柔性神经微创植入和驱动的微流控微驱动器 电极 摘要 与大脑机械特性相匹配的柔性微电极有望提高质量和 通过减少慢性炎症反应延长神经记录的寿命；然而，这些微电极 传统上很难在不造成急性损伤的情况下植入。因为这些柔性电极通常是 比人的头发更有弹性，硬化剂目前被用来暂时增加整体尺寸 和电极在植入过程中的刚性。由此导致的电极占地面积的增加损害了 组织，导致细胞丢失和神经胶质激活，即使在硬化剂被移除或 解散。此外，一旦插入电极，它们将保持固定位置，不能重新定位 从不同的大脑区域进行记录。 为了克服目前柔性电极植入方法的局限性，我们提出了流体式 微驱动器“：专门设计的微流控装置，可以插入和微动裸露的柔性电极 不需要硬化剂，从而减少电极植入过程中的急性损伤。在这个项目中，我们 将展示射流微驱动器可以植入和驱动最先进的灵活多通道 活体中的电极。这些实验将是对柔性电极性能的第一次研究 一种微创植入技术。作为这个项目的一部分，我们将评估神经的质量和寿命。 与使用可拆卸加强筋的传统植入相比，射流植入后的记录。 总体而言，这里提出的射流微驱动技术将提供一种减少组织损伤的通用方法 与柔性神经电极的植入和驱动相关的，这种电极可以适应于支持 各种电极材料和几何形状。

Fluidic Microdrives for Minimally Invasive Implantation and Actuation of Flexible Neural Electrodes Abstract Flexible microelectrodes that match the mechanical properties of the brain promise to increase the quality and longevity of neural recordings by reducing chronic inflammatory reactions; however, these microelectrodes are traditionally difficult to implant without causing acute damage. Because these flexible electrodes are typically more flexible than a human hair, stiffening agents are presently used to temporarily increase the overall size and rigidity of the electrode during implantation. The resulting increase in the electrode footprint damages the tissue, leading to cell loss and glial activation that persists even after the stiffening agents are removed or dissolve. Furthermore, once the electrodes are inserted, they remain fixed in place and cannot be repositioned to record from different brain regions. To overcome the limitations of current flexible electrode implantation methods we propose “fluidic microdrives”: specially designed microfluidic devices that can insert and microactuate bare flexible electrodes with no need for stiffening agents, thus reducing acute damage during electrode implantation. In this project we will demonstrate that fluidic microdrives can implant and actuate state-of-the art flexible multichannel electrodes in vivo. These experiments will represent the first studies of flexible electrode performance following a minimally invasive implantation. As part of this project we will assess the quality and longevity of neural recordings following fluidic implantation compared to conventional implantation using removable stiffeners. Overall, fluidic microdrive technology proposed here will provide a versatile method to reduce tissue damage associated with implantation and actuation of flexible neural electrodes that could be adapted to support a variety of electrode materials and geometries.