Novel High Density Interconnects for Flexible Neural Prostheses

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目提出开发柔性多触点神经袖带电极，该电极具有通过新型高密度互连和先进生物相容性包装方案电气连接的嵌入式集成电路（IC）。拟议的微加工聚酰亚胺/硅胶混合袖带电极阵列将提供选择性刺激和复合周围神经记录的能力。创新的制造工艺将目前劳动密集型的手工工艺推进到批量微制造，从而允许增加电极触点的密度和精度。创新的混合结构产生了高度柔性的电极，并且新颖的板载IC和互连减少了所需的引线数量，这与故障和神经损伤有关。我们将展示该装置用于膀胱功能闭环控制的实用性-包括排尿和排空。 除了原型器械的广泛体外试验外，还将有源器械植入动物模型（即猫）中，对包装方案的功能性、生物相容性和介电完整性进行急性和慢性体内试验。这项工作将与杜克大学的Warren Grill教授合作完成。 该技术也适用于周围神经系统其他领域的神经假体，包括用于瘫痪肢体复活的周围运动神经刺激，用于治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停的舌下神经刺激，以及用于治疗癫痫、抑郁和心力衰竭的迷走神经刺激。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project proposes the development of flexible multiple contact nerve cuff electrodes with an embedded integrated circuit (IC) electrically connected via a novel high density interconnect and advanced biocompatible packaging scheme. The proposed microfabricated polyimide/silicone hybrid cuff electrode arrays will provide capabilities for both selective stimulation and recording from compound peripheral nerves. The innovative fabrication process advances what is currently a labor-intensive manual process to batch microfabrication, and thereby allows an increase in the density and precision of electrode contacts. The innovative hybrid structure results in a highly flexible electrode, and the novel on-board IC and interconnects reduce the required number of lead wires, which are associated with failure and neural injury. We will demonstrate the utility of the device for closed-loop control of bladder function - including continence and emptying. In addition to extensive in vitro testing of prototype devices, active devices will be implanted into an animal model (i.e. cat) for acute and chronic in vivo testing of functionality, biocompatibility, and dielectric integrity of the packaging scheme. This work will be completed in collaboration with Prof. Warren Grill of Duke University. This technology is also applicable to neural prostheses in other areas of the peripheral nervous system, including peripheral motor nerve stimulation for re-animation of paralyzed limbs, hypoglossal nerve stimulation to treat obstructive sleep apnea, and vagus nerve stimulation for treatment of epilepsy, depression, and heart failure.