Chronically-Implantable Multisite Microelectrode Arrays

 描述（由申请人提供）：我们正在申请神经科学基本需求的资金，支持长期植入式多位点微电极阵列的研究人员。微电极阵列是神经假体和脑机接口以及基础神经科学的重要工具。目前正在开发的临床应用包括利用电神经刺激来克服听力损失的中央听觉假体，在大脑皮层中采用微刺激的视觉假体，以及用于缓解帕金森病和其他疾病的运动症状的闭环脑深部刺激。虽然有商业供应商提供适用于慢性植入的微丝阵列和硅阵列，但对定制组装的硅基3D多位点微电极阵列的需求尚未得到满足。该资源中心将设计，制造和组装定制的微电极阵列，用于长期的神经刺激和体内记录。拟议的设备将由定制设计的多位点硅基阵列制造，这些阵列可以插入大脑皮层、脑深部、脑干和脊髓或脊神经沟中的目标。该器械具有机械坚固性，可可靠插入靶组织，并具有长柔性电缆，以满足用户要求。该阵列预期用于动物模型，如大鼠、猫和非人灵长类动物，旨在促进临床转化。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We are requesting funding for an essential need in neuroscience, supporting researchers with chronically-implantable multisite microelectrode arrays. Microelectrode arrays are an important tool for neural prostheses and brain machine interfaces as well as for basic neuroscience. Clinical applications now under development include central auditory prostheses that utilize electrical neural stimulation to overcome hearing loss, visual prostheses employing microstimulation in the cerebral cortex, and closed-loop deep brain stimulation to relieve the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease and other disorders. While there are commercial vendors providing microwire arrays and silicon arrays suitable for chronic implantation, there is an unmet need for custom-assembled silicon-based 3D multisite microelectrode arrays. This resource center will design, fabricate, and assemble customized microelectrode arrays for long-term neural stimulation and recording in-vivo. The proposed devices will be fabricated from custom-designed multisite silicon-based arrays that can be inserted into targets in the sulci of the cerebral cortex, deep brain, brainstems, and spinal cord or spinal nerves. The devices will be mechanically sturdy for reliable insertion into the target tissues, and will have long flexible cables to meet users' requirements. The arrays are intended to be used in animal models such as rats, cats, and non-human primates, and are designed to facilitate clinical translation.