Biological determinants of the safety and stability of neuroprosthetic stimulation electrodes

人工耳蜗的性能和患者感觉到的声音质量与电极阻抗密切相关。电极阻抗与植入物的电活动有关，但引起这种波动的机制尚不清楚。本项目旨在研究蛋白质吸附在电极性能中的作用，包括阻抗和材料溶解。为了能够进行这些研究，打算开发一种新的外淋巴液(耳蜗液)的仿生类似物。此外，该项目旨在研究两种将阻抗变化降至最低的策略：小脉冲电极清洗和防污涂层。了解和控制影响电极稳定性的因素旨在促进下一代植入物的设计。

Performance of cochlear implants and the quality of sound perceived by patients is strongly related to electrode impedance. Electrode impedance fluctuates relative to the implant electrical activity, but the mechanisms which cause this are not clear. This project aims to investigate the role of protein adsorption in electrode performance, including impedance and material dissolution. To enable these investigations a new biomimetic analogue of the perilymph (cochlea fluid) is intended to be developed. Additionally, the project aims to investigate two strategies to minimise impedance changes: small pulse electrode cleaning and antifouling coatings. Understanding and control of factors influencing electrode stability aim to facilitate next-generation implant designs.