A Microneedle Array System for Transcutaneous Nerve Mapping

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的研究结合了新型电子和微制造技术，以创建一个非侵入性的研究平台，用于人体周围神经的靶向刺激和表征。该第二阶段提案涉及高分辨率外周神经接口的两个重大发展。目标1将开发高分辨率和低噪声的皮肤表面电极阵列。阵列内的每个电极将由具有成本效益的微图案化针组成，其通过无痛地刺穿皮肤的最顶层来显著降低电极阻抗，从而提供高空间分辨率而不牺牲信噪比。Aim 2将开发小型化刺激和记录电子设备，以恢复被刺激伪影模糊的信号传输。恢复的数据，结合同时与几十个皮肤表面电极交互的能力，将允许非侵入性映射，表征和控制周围神经。除了减少监测和操纵外周神经所需的复杂性、疼痛和培训外，该平台还将允许在疾病诊断、表面肌电图、神经修复、术中监测和治疗刺激方面继续创新。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed study combines novel electronics and microfabrication techniques to create a non-invasive, research platform for targeted stimulation and characterization of human peripheral nerves. This Phase II proposal involves two significant developments for high-resolution peripheral nerve interfacing. Aim 1 will develop high-resolution and low-noise skin surface electrode arrays. Each electrode within the array will consist of cost-effective micropatterned needles, which significantly decrease electrode impedance by pain- lessly piercing the topmost layer of skin, thereby providing high spatial resolution without sacrificing signal- to-noise ratio. Aim 2 will develop miniaturized stimulation and recording electronics to recover signals tra- ditionally obscured by stimulation artifacts. The recovered data, combined with the ability to simultaneously interact with dozens of skin-surface electrodes, will allow non-invasive mapping, characterization, and con- trol of peripheral nerves. In addition to reducing the complexity, pain, and training required to monitor and manipulate peripheral nerves, this platform will allow for continued innovation in disease diagnostics, sur- face electromyography, neural prosthetics, intraoperative monitoring, and therapeutic stimulation.