Commercialization of integrated electrode-electronics system for large scale, long-lasting electrophysiology

项目摘要 研究行为是如何从大脑复杂的相互关联的活动中产生的， 神经科学研究的基石神经技术的最新技术进步是 使研究能够在啮齿动物中研究数千个神经元的平行活动， 大脑Neuropixels探头，允许观察384个通道的电生理数据 现在是下一代实验的宝贵工具。这个项目的一个目标是 为Neuropixels探头和相关电子设备提供商业替代品， 在记录能力上实现功能对等，而且目前也可用于科学应用 现有的Neuropixels探针无法解决。我们提出的解决方案部分是由 神经像素探针的制造商-IMEC最近已经将 探针的电子器件作为没有硅电极的独立384通道芯片 附通过将这种成熟的技术与新型电极阵列-柔性 基于聚酰亚胺的探针-我们概述了一种提供具有类似通道密度的技术的策略 即1）在插入时抗断裂，2）能够实现紧密间隔的植入部位， 和3）与硅探针相比，在神经胶质瘢痕形成方面具有显著减少， 几个月的稳定记录。此外，通过将此探头与强大的数据记录 电子，我们将提供一种方法，以规模的通道数超过3000，而不需要电缆 动物和电脑之间的联系

PROJECT SUMMARY Examining how behavior arises from the complex interconnected activity of the brain is a cornerstone of neuroscience research. A recent technological advance in neurotechnology is enabling studies where the parallel activity of thousands of neurons can be studied in rodent brains. The Neuropixels probe, allowing 384 channels of electrophysiological data to be observed from the brain, is now a valuable tool for next-generation experiments. One goal of this project is to provide a commercial alternative to the Neuropixels probe and associated electronics that will enable feature parity in recording capability, but also be usable in scientific applications currently unaddressed by the existing Neuropixels probe. Our proposed solution is partially enabled by the makers of the Neuropixles probes—IMEC has recently made commercially available the electronics of the probes as a standalone 384 channel chip without the silicon electrodes attached. By connecting this proven technology to a new type of electrode array—flexible polyimide-based probes—we outline a strategy to offer technology with similar channel density that is 1) is resistant to breakage upon insertion, 2) enables closely-spaced implantation sites, and 3) has a significant reduction in glial scarring compared to silicon probes, enabling extremely stable recordings for months. Furthermore, by coupling this probe to powerful datalogging electronics, we will offer a way to scale channel counts to above 3000 without the need for cables between the animal and a computer.