Functionalized Coatings for Enhanced Neural Interfaces

描述（由申请人提供）：拟开发用于记录和刺激神经系统的电极的生物活性涂层。该涂层基于聚（乙二醇）/聚乳酸（PEG-PLA）的共聚物，其含有作为缓慢释放成分的神经营养因子。神经营养因子的释放促进神经突起向电极表面的延伸。电极与有活力的神经过程的紧密接近将增强神经记录的稳定性和灵敏度，并且可以降低神经兴奋的电荷注入阈值。还将评估用细胞粘附肽对电极进行表面处理，作为一旦神经营养因子耗尽后保留界面的手段。我们的II期研究目标是：1）评估植入动物模型中的微电极上神经营养因子洗脱聚合物的受益，该动物模型适合于皮质内记录，用于脊髓损伤的脊髓外器械的直接基于思想的控制，2）评估神经退行性疾病模型中刺激电极上神经营养因子洗脱涂层的受益，特别是用于视网膜色素变性的视觉假体中的视网膜刺激电极，和3）评价肽粘附分子的表面结合涂层用于长期稳定通过短期神经营养因子洗脱建立的电极表面处的神经过程的紧密接近的用途。正在为脊髓损伤、耳聋、失明和运动障碍疾病患者开发假体。这些假体将通过电刺激神经或记录大脑中的神经活动来发挥作用。提出了在这些电极上使用可生物降解的涂层来增强植入的金属电极与大脑中的神经细胞之间的电连接。这些涂层将吸收生物活性分子，促进神经细胞生长到植入的电极上，提高假体刺激和记录性能的效率和可靠性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The development of a biologically active coating for electrodes used in recording and stimulation of the nervous system is proposed. The coating is based on a co-polymer of poly(ethylene glycol)/polylactic acid (PEG-PLA) that contains a neurotrophic factor as a slowly releasable constituent. Release of the neurotrophin promotes the extension of neural processes to the electrode surface. The close proximity of the electrode to viable neural processes will enhance the stability and sensitivity of neural recordings and may reduce charge- injection thresholds for neural excitation. Surface treatment of electrodes with cell adhesion peptides will also be evaluated as a means of preserving the interface once the neurotrophic factor is exhausted. Our objectives for the Phase II effort are 1) to assess the benefits of neurotrophin-eluting polymers on microelectrodes implanted in an animal model appropriate to intracortical recording for direct thought-based control of extracorporal devices for the spinal cord injured, 2) to assess the benefit of neurotrophin-eluting coatings on stimulation electrodes in a model of neurodegenerative disease, specifically retinal stimulation electrodes in visual prostheses for retinitis pigmentosa, and 3) to evaluate the use of surface-bound coatings of peptide adhesion molecules to chronically stabilize the close proximity of neural processes at the electrode surface established by short-term neurotrophin elution. Prostheses are being developed for individuals with spinal cord injury, deafness, blindness and diseases that impair movement. These prostheses will function by electrically stimulating nerves or by recording nerve activity in the brain. The use of biodegradable coatings on these electrodes to enhance the electrical connection between the implanted metal electrodes and nerve cells in the brain is proposed. The coatings will elute biologically active molecules that encourage nerve cells to grow to the implanted electrodes, increasing the efficiency and reliability of the stimulation and recording properties of the prostheses.