Microwire Arrays for Multichannel Neurophysiology

描述(申请人提供)：长期植入微丝阵列是一种简单可靠的长期多通道神经生理记录和刺激工具。多通道阵列增加了单个动物的数据产量，并允许解决有关更高大脑功能和功能连接的问题。这些长期植入的电极还允许实验对象有更大的身体和行为自由，允许研究人员在清醒的情况下进行录音，在更自然的环境中表现对象。最后，慢性记录技术允许长期接触一块神经组织，这是研究神经可塑性的一个基本优势。 继续开发将为微线阵列提供廉价、均匀和可靠的源。新的制造方法将允许更大的数据产量、更精确的电极放置、整个阵列的一致阻抗、更好的神经隔离和改进的电极几何形状。还将开发设计，以提高插入的简易性和长期的生物兼容性。微线阵列开发是一项使能技术，可用于感觉和运动映射、功能电刺激、慢性神经植入和神经假体的研究。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Chronically implanted microwire arrays are a simple and reliable tool for long-term multichannel neurophysiological recording and stimulation. Multichannel arrays increase data yield from individual animals and allow questions about higher brain function and functional connectivity to be addressed. These chronically implanted electrodes also allow for greater physical and behavioral freedom of the experimental subject, allowing investigators to perform recordings on awake, behaving subjects in more naturalistic settings. Finally, chronic recording techniques permit long-term access to a block of neural tissue, a fundamental advantage in studies on neural plasticity. Continuing development will provide an inexpensive, uniform, and dependable source for microwire arrays. New manufacturing approaches will allow for greater data yield, more precise electrode placement, consistent impedances across the array, better neural isolation and improved electrode geometry. Designs to improve ease of insertion and long-term biocompatibility will also be developed. Microwire array development is an enabling technology for research on sensory and motor mapping, functional electrical stimulation, chronic neural implants, and neural prostheses.