A Microneedle Array System for Transcutaneous Nerve Mapping

描述(由申请人提供)：拟议的研究利用新的电子学和微制造技术来创建一个非侵入性的自动化平台，用于对人类神经组织进行有针对性的监测和操作。这项研究将促进基础研究和临床医疗设备的快速发展，应用于神经病理诊断学、高级治疗学和神经假体。第一阶段涉及非侵入性神经技术的三个重大发展。AIM 1将开发高分辨率和低噪音的皮肤表面电极阵列。阵列内的每个电极都将包含低成本的微型针，通过无痛地刺穿最上层的皮肤来显著降低电极阻抗，从而在不影响信噪比的情况下实现高空间分辨率。AIM 2将开发可扩展的同时刺激和记录电子设备，以恢复传统上被刺激伪像掩盖的信号。恢复的数据，结合同时与数十个皮肤表面电极相互作用的能力，将提供经皮神经和肌肉活动的新测量。最后，目标3将结合目标1和目标2的技术发展来说明通过皮肤对神经的分割和表征。除了减少执行传统神经传导研究(NCS)所需的复杂性、痛苦和操作员培训外，该平台还将支持广泛的基础研究以及创建新型神经调节设备。第二阶段将侧重于增加阵列和电子设备服务的通道数量，降低电子设备的外形因素和处理要求，并提供用于实时信息提取和神经控制的信号处理硬件和算法。与公共健康相关：该研究项目利用新的电子和制造技术来生产用于研究神经、肌肉和脑组织的非侵入性自动化工具集。最终，这一发展将促进医学和科学发现，使神经肌肉疾病的诊断和治疗成为可能。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed study utilizes novel electronics and microfabrication techniques to create a non-invasive, automated platform for targeted monitoring and manipulation of human neural tissue. This research will enable rapid advancements in both basic research and clinical medical devices, with applications to neuropathological diagnostics, advanced therapeutics, and neural prosthetics. Phase I involves three significant developments for non-invasive neurotechnology. Aim 1 will develop high-resolution and low-noise skin surface electrode arrays. Each electrode within the array will contain low-cost micropat- terned needles, which dramatically decrease electrode impedance by painlessly piercing the topmost layer of skin, allowing for high spatial resolution without any sacrifice in signal-to-noise ratios. Aim 2 will develop scalable simultaneous stimulation and re- cording electronics to recover signals traditionally obscured by stimulation artifacts. The recovered data, combined with the ability to simultaneously interact with dozens of skin- surface electrodes, will provide new measures of transcutaneous nerve and muscle activ- ity. Finally, Aim 3 will combine the technological developments of Aims 1 and 2 to dem- onstrate the segmentation and characterization of nerves through the skin. In addition to reducing the complexity, pain, and operator training required to perform traditional nerve conduction studies (NCS), this platform will enable a wide range of basic research studies as well as the creation of novel neuromodulation devices. Phase 2 will focus on increasing the number of channels serviced by the array and electronics, reducing the form factor and processing requirements for the electronics, and providing signal- processing hardware and algorithms for real-time information extraction and neural control. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This research project leverages novel electronic and fabrication technologies to produce a non-invasive automated toolset for the study of nerve, muscle, and brain tissue. Ulti- mately, this development will facilitate medical and scientific discoveries that will enable the diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of neuromuscular diseases.