Integrative Sensor and Stimulator Implant System

该建议的重点是开发一个由微型无线神经元信号传感器和刺激器植入物组成的集成系统，以提供准确的神经活动记录，并通过神经刺激研究疼痛信号的抑制作用。神经刺激植入物向神经组织递送低电流，其影响跨神经膜的离子运输的动力学并产生疼痛信号的电抑制。然而，缺乏一个集成的记录器和刺激器系统，使我们无法从生理上记录自由移动物体的疼痛活动。这项工作涉及整合四个多学科研究领域的进展：（1）柔性微机电系统（MEMS）器件，（2）遥测电路和无线通信，（3）信号处理，（4）神经科学和神经生物学。 智力优势：技术进步是在柔性基底上开发具有无线通信能力的集成系统的微型植入物。使用集成传感器和刺激器系统作为一种使能工具，将进行科学研究，以建立神经元信号、传播模型、抑制机制及其与外部刺激的关系、生物电模型的参数数据库和疼痛管理的优化算法的知识。缓解慢性疼痛的影响不仅会改善个人的生活质量，而且会改善家庭关系和国家经济。该数据库将有助于对神经科学的基本理解。所开发的技术将用于医学植入物和生物学应用中的数据采集技术。电气工程和心理学之间的这个合作项目将研究工作与教育和推广目标相结合。研究生和本科生将在同一实验室一起工作，并通过实践经验，他们将接受综合多学科知识的培训。在贫困社区的三个北德克萨斯州高中教育计划已经到位，以提供高中教师和学生参与研究工作。

This proposal focuses on the development of an integrative system consisting of miniature wireless neuronal signal sensor and stimulator implants to provide accurate recording of neural activities and investigate the inhibitory effects of pain signals through neurostimulation. A neurostimulation implant delivers low electrical currents to the nervous tissues that affect the kinetics of ion transport across a neural membrane and produce electrical suppression of pain signals. However, the lack of an integrative recorder and stimulator system prevents us from physiologically documenting the pain activities in freely moving objects. This work involves integrating advances from four multidisciplinary areas of research: (1) flexible microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices, (2) telemetry circuitry and wireless communication, (3) signal processing, (4) neuroscience and neurobiology. Intellectual Merits: Technological advances are the development of miniature implants on flexible substrates with wireless communication capability for an integrative system. Using the integrative sensor and stimulator system as an enabling tool, scientific investigation will be carried out to establish the knowledge of neuronal signals, propagation models, inhibitory mechanisms and their relationship to external stimuli, parameter databases for bioelectrical models and optimization algorithms in pain management.Broader Impacts: The impacts of chronic pain relief will not only improve individuals life quality but also the family relationship and national economics. The database will benefit the basic understanding in neuroscience. The technologies developed will be useful for medical implants and data acquisition techniques in biology applications. This cooperative project between the Electrical Engineering and Psychology integrates the research efforts with education and outreach objectives. Graduate and undergraduate students will be working together in the same laboratories, and by hands-on experiences, they will be trained with integrated multidisciplinary knowledge. Three North Texas high-school education programs in disadvantaged communities are in place to provide high-school teachers and students involvement in the research works.