SERVICE: MULTICHANNEL ELECTRODES & SILICON SUBSTRATE PROBES

用于实验用途的探针的制备不会结束于 他们在硅片上的最后蚀刻。探头必须包装好 并为特定的应用做好准备。正在进行的努力 封装领域包括开发更高密度的连接器， 更强大的布线系统，以及改进的标准化方案。 除了我们在所有这些领域的内部发展外，我们 还与位于俄勒冈州波特兰的Pi Medical合作。与以下公司合作 PI和我们的一些探测器用户正在产生可用的系统 正在产生所需的生理数据。我们将继续 从美国国家卫生研究院为PI Medical在其第二阶段SBIR中提供支持 开发可供用户使用的微探头组件。我们也在努力 关于探头的后处理的几个小组。后处理 包括在探针上沉积涂层 从晶片上蚀刻出来，以特定的方式提高它们的质量。 一种后处理方法是沉积对二甲苯。这是 由Pi Medical和Cochlear Corp.共同完成的Parylan可以 用于提高探针柄的坚固性，从而允许其 处理深度插入。仅选择性地消融的能力 在一个大场地上的一小块对二甲苯可以让我们定制 在从晶片上蚀刻出探针之后，一种可能更简单和 成本较低的业务。另一种后处理方法是 生物聚合物的沉积影响组织对探针的反应。 这项工作是由大学的马丁博士完成的。密歇根州。他有 为华盛顿大学的海斯坦博士涂上了一些探头 已经被植入了蟾鱼的前庭神经。

The preparation of probes for experimental use does not end with their final etch from the silicon wafer. The probes must be packaged and prepared for the particular application. Ongoing efforts in the area of packaging include development of higher density connectors, more robust cabling systems, and of improved standardization schemes. In addition to our own internal developments in all of these areas, we are also working with PI Medical in Portland, OR. Collaborations with PI and some of our probe users are resulting in usable systems which are producing the desired physiological data. We will continue to support PI Medical in their Phase II SBIR from the NIH for the development of user-ready microprobe assemblies. We are also working with several groups on the post-processing of probes. Post-processing involves the deposition of coatings on the probes after they have been etched from the wafer to improve their qualities in a specific way. One post-processing method is the deposition of parylene. This is being done by both PI Medical and the Cochlear Corp. Parylene can be used to improve the robustness of the probe shanks which permits their handling for deep insertions. The ability to selectively ablate only a small area of parylene on a large site may permit us to customize probes after they are etched from the wafer, a potentially simpler and less-costly undertaking. Another post-processing method is the deposition of biopolymers to influence tissue reaction to the probes. This work is being done by Dr. Martin at Univ. of Mich. He has coated some probes for Dr. Highstein of Washington University which have been implanted in the vestibular nerve of toadfish.