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Matta R, Moreau D, O’Connor R. Printable devices for neurotechnology. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1332827. [PMID: 38440397 PMCID: PMC10909977 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1332827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Printable electronics for neurotechnology is a rapidly emerging field that leverages various printing techniques to fabricate electronic devices, offering advantages in rapid prototyping, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. These devices have promising applications in neurobiology, enabling the recording of neuronal signals and controlled drug delivery. This review provides an overview of printing techniques, materials used in neural device fabrication, and their applications. The printing techniques discussed include inkjet, screen printing, flexographic printing, 3D printing, and more. Each method has its unique advantages and challenges, ranging from precise printing and high resolution to material compatibility and scalability. Selecting the right materials for printable devices is crucial, considering factors like biocompatibility, flexibility, electrical properties, and durability. Conductive materials such as metallic nanoparticles and conducting polymers are commonly used in neurotechnology. Dielectric materials, like polyimide and polycaprolactone, play a vital role in device fabrication. Applications of printable devices in neurotechnology encompass various neuroprobes, electrocorticography arrays, and microelectrode arrays. These devices offer flexibility, biocompatibility, and scalability, making them cost-effective and suitable for preclinical research. However, several challenges need to be addressed, including biocompatibility, precision, electrical performance, long-term stability, and regulatory hurdles. This review highlights the potential of printable electronics in advancing our understanding of the brain and treating neurological disorders while emphasizing the importance of overcoming these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Matta
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Centre CMP, Departement BEL, Gardanne, France
| | - David Moreau
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Centre CMP, Departement BEL, Gardanne, France
| | - Rodney O’Connor
- Mines Saint-Etienne, Centre CMP, Departement BEL, Gardanne, France
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Habli Z, Lahoud R, Zantout A, Abou-Kheir W, Khraiche ML. Single-cell fluid-based force spectroscopy reveals near lipid size nano-topography effects on neural cell adhesion. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:707-718. [PMID: 38230917 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00984j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Nano-roughness has shown great potential in enhancing high-fidelity electrogenic cell interfaces, owing to its characteristic topography comparable to proteins and lipids, which influences a wide range of cellular mechanical responses. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of how cells respond to nano-roughness at the single-cell level is not only imperative for implanted devices but also essential for tissue regeneration and interaction with complex biomaterial surfaces. In this study, we quantify cell adhesion and biomechanics of single cells to nano-roughened surfaces by measuring neural cell adhesion and biomechanics via fluidic-based single-cell force spectroscopy (SCFS). For this, we introduce nanoscale topographical features on polyimide (PI) surfaces achieving roughness up to 25 nm without chemical modifications. Initial adhesion experiments show cell-specific response to nano-roughness for neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) compared to human astrocytes (NHA) around 15 and 20 nm surface roughness. In addition, our SCFS measurements revealed a remarkable 2.5-fold increase in adhesion forces (150-164 nN) for SH-SY5Y cells cultured on roughened PI (rPI) surfaces compared to smooth surfaces (60-107 nN). Our data also shows that cells can distinguish changes in nano-roughness as small 2 nm (close to the diameter of a single lipid) and show roughness dependence adhesion while favoring 15 nm. Notably, this enhanced adhesion is accompanied by increased cell elongation upon cell detachment without any significant differences in cell area spreading. The study provides valuable insights into the interplay between nano-topography and cellular responses and offers practical implications for designing biomaterial surfaces with enhanced cellular interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeina Habli
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
| | - Rima Lahoud
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
| | - Ahmad Zantout
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
| | - Wassim Abou-Kheir
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Massoud L Khraiche
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon.
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Vėbraitė I, Bar-Haim C, David-Pur M, Hanein Y. Bi-directional electrical recording and stimulation of the intact retina with a screen-printed soft probe: a feasibility study. Front Neurosci 2024; 17:1288069. [PMID: 38264499 PMCID: PMC10804455 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1288069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Electrophysiological investigations of intact neural circuits are challenged by the gentle and complex nature of neural tissues. Bi-directional electrophysiological interfacing with the retina, in its intact form, is particularly demanding and currently there is no feasible approach to achieve such investigations. Here we present a feasibility study of a novel soft multi-electrode array suitable for bi-directional electrophysiological study of the intact retina. Methods Screen-printed soft electrode arrays were developed and tested. The soft probes were designed to accommodate the curvature of the retina in the eye and offer an opportunity to study the retina in its intact form. Results For the first time, we show both electrical recording and stimulation capabilities from the intact retina. In particular, we demonstrate the ability to characterize retina responses to electrical stimulation and reveal stable, direct, and indirect responses compared with ex-vivo conditions. Discussion These results demonstrate the unique performances of the new probe while also suggesting that intact retinas retain better stability and robustness than ex-vivo retinas making them more suitable for characterizing retina responses to electrical stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Vėbraitė
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Chen Bar-Haim
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Moshe David-Pur
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Hanein
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Badawe HM, El Hassan RH, Khraiche ML. Modeling ultrasound modulation of neural function in a single cell. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22522. [PMID: 38046165 PMCID: PMC10686887 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Low intensity ultrasound stimulation has been shown to non-invasively modulate neural function in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) with high precision. Ultrasound sonication is capable of either excitation or inhibition, depending on the ultrasound parameters used. On the other hand, the mode of interaction of ultrasonic waves with the neural tissue for effective neuromodulation remains ambiguous. New method Here within we propose a numerical model that incorporates the mechanical effects of ultrasound stimulation on the Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) neuron by incorporating the relation between increased external pressure and the membrane induced tension, with a stress on the flexoelectric effect on the neural membrane. The external pressure causes an increase in the total tension of the membrane thus affecting the probability of the ion channels being open after the conformational changes that those channels undergo. Results The interplay between varying the acoustic intensities and frequencies depicts different action potential suppression rates, whereby a combination of low intensity and low frequency ultrasound sonication proved to be the most effective in modulating neural function.Comparison with Existing Methods: Our method solely depends on the HH model of a single neuron and the linear flexoelectric effect of the dielectric neural membrane, when under an ultrasound-induced mechanical strain, while varying the ion-channels conductances based on different sonication frequencies and intensities. We study the effect of ultrasound parameters on the firing rate, latency, and action potential amplitude of a HH neuron for a better understanding of the neuromodulation modality of ultrasound stimulation (in the continuous and pulsed modes). Conclusions This simulation work confirms the published experimental data that low intensity and low frequency ultrasound sonication has a higher success rate of modulating neural firing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba M. Badawe
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rima H. El Hassan
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Massoud L. Khraiche
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Almasri RM, Ladouceur F, Mawad D, Esrafilzadeh D, Firth J, Lehmann T, Poole-Warren LA, Lovell NH, Al Abed A. Emerging trends in the development of flexible optrode arrays for electrophysiology. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:031503. [PMID: 37692375 PMCID: PMC10491464 DOI: 10.1063/5.0153753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Optical-electrode (optrode) arrays use light to modulate excitable biological tissues and/or transduce bioelectrical signals into the optical domain. Light offers several advantages over electrical wiring, including the ability to encode multiple data channels within a single beam. This approach is at the forefront of innovation aimed at increasing spatial resolution and channel count in multichannel electrophysiology systems. This review presents an overview of devices and material systems that utilize light for electrophysiology recording and stimulation. The work focuses on the current and emerging methods and their applications, and provides a detailed discussion of the design and fabrication of flexible arrayed devices. Optrode arrays feature components non-existent in conventional multi-electrode arrays, such as waveguides, optical circuitry, light-emitting diodes, and optoelectronic and light-sensitive functional materials, packaged in planar, penetrating, or endoscopic forms. Often these are combined with dielectric and conductive structures and, less frequently, with multi-functional sensors. While creating flexible optrode arrays is feasible and necessary to minimize tissue-device mechanical mismatch, key factors must be considered for regulatory approval and clinical use. These include the biocompatibility of optical and photonic components. Additionally, material selection should match the operating wavelength of the specific electrophysiology application, minimizing light scattering and optical losses under physiologically induced stresses and strains. Flexible and soft variants of traditionally rigid photonic circuitry for passive optical multiplexing should be developed to advance the field. We evaluate fabrication techniques against these requirements. We foresee a future whereby established telecommunications techniques are engineered into flexible optrode arrays to enable unprecedented large-scale high-resolution electrophysiology systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem M. Almasri
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | - Damia Mawad
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Dorna Esrafilzadeh
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Josiah Firth
- Australian National Fabrication Facility, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Torsten Lehmann
- School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | | | - Amr Al Abed
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Zhao Q, Zhu M, Tian G, Liang C, Liu Z, Huang J, Yu QY, Tang S, Chen J, Zhao X, Zeng Q, Guo C, Qi D. Highly Sensitive and Omnidirectionally Stretchable Bioelectrode Arrays for In Vivo Neural Interfacing. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2203344. [PMID: 36974567 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202203344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Flexible electrode array, a new-generation neural microelectrode, is a crucial tool for information exchange between living tissues and external electronics. Till date, advances in flexible neural microelectrodes are limited because of their high impedance and poor mechanical consistency at tissue interfaces. Herein, a highly sensitive and omnidirectionally stretchable polymeric electrode array (PEA) is introduced. Micropyramid-nanowire composite structures are constructed to increase the effective surface area of PEA, achieving an exponential reduction in impedance compared with gold (Au) and flat polypyrrole electrodes. Moreover, for the first time, a suspended umbrella structure to enable PEA with omnidirectional stretchability of up to ≈20% is designed. The PEA can withstand 1000 cycles of mechanical loads without decrease in performance. As a proof of concept, PEA is conformally attached to a rat heart and tibialis anterior muscle, and electrophysiological signals (electrocardiogram and electromyogram) of the rat are successfully recorded. This strategy provides a new perspective toward highly sensitive and omnidirectionally stretchable PEA that can facilitate the practical application of neural electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyi Zhao
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, P. R. China
| | - Ming Zhu
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, P. R. China
| | - Gongwei Tian
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, P. R. China
| | - Cuiyuan Liang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyuan Liu
- Biomedical Microdevices Research Laboratory, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Jianping Huang
- Biomedical Microdevices Research Laboratory, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Qianheng Yuan Yu
- Biomedical Microdevices Research Laboratory, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Shuanglong Tang
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, P. R. China
| | - Jianhui Chen
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, P. R. China
| | - Xizheng Zhao
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, P. R. China
| | - Qi Zeng
- Biomedical Microdevices Research Laboratory, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518061, P. R. China
| | - Chongshen Guo
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, P. R. China
| | - Dianpeng Qi
- MIIT Key Laboratory of Critical Materials Technology for New Energy Conversion and Storage, National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Synthesis, Transformation and Separation of Extreme Environmental Nutrients, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environments, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, P. R. China
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Khoury FC, Saleh SA, Habli ZS, Khraiche ML. Development of Inkjet-Printed PEDOT:PSS-Based Organic Electrochemical Transistor (OECT) for Biopotential Amplification. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38083031 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10341124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
With the ever-increasing need for miniaturized and biocompatible devices for physiological recordings, high signal fidelity and ease of fabrication are key to achieve reliable data collection. This calls for the development of active recording devices such as Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) which, compared to passive electrodes, offer local amplification. In this work, we built PEDOT:PSS based OECTs using novel inkjet printing technology, achieving a transconductance of 75 mS. The device was later used to amplify arbitrary signals simulating in vivo recordings. Gate voltage offset manipulation offered a range of current peak-to-peak amplitudes. Additionally, we demonstrate a simple circuit for voltage readings, where another resistor-dependent characterization involving voltage source and drain voltage is performed. At ideal operating point and when using a 220 Ω resistor, a gain of 14.5 is achieved.Clinical Relevance- 1This work demonstrates the ability to rapidly and easily develop OECT-based technology for potential signal sensing for more accurate diagnosis of pathologies and diseases.
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Badawe HM, Khraiche ML. Modeling of Calcium-dependent Low Intensity Low Frequency Ultrasound Modulation of a Hodgkin-Huxley Neuron. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023; 2023:1-4. [PMID: 38083028 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive low intensity, low frequency ultrasound is a progressive neuromodulation approach that can reach deep brain areas with peak spatial and temporal resolution for highly-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Coupling the ultrasound mechanical effects to the neural membrane comprises different mechanisms that are, to-date, still a topic of debate. The availability of calcium ions in the extracellular medium is of high significance when it comes to the effect of ultrasound on the neural tissue. Whereby the generated calcium influx can directly affect the voltage-gated ion channels, amplifying their action. We modeled the flexoelectric-induced effects of ultrasound to a single firing neuron, taking into consideration the effect of calcium channel embedding into the neural membrane on the neuron's firing rate, latency response, peak-to-peak voltage, and general shape of the action potential.Clinical Relevance- Upon Ultrasound sonication, the mechanical waves interact with the neural membrane and alter the kinetics of the calcium channels, thus changing the neural response.
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Bhaskara S, Sakorikar T, Chatterjee S, Shabari Girishan K, Pandya HJ. Recent advancements in Micro-engineered devices for surface and deep brain animal studies: A review. SENSING AND BIO-SENSING RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sbsr.2022.100483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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10
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Al Abed A, Amatoury J, Khraiche M. Finite Element Modeling of Magnitude and Location of Brain Micromotion Induced Strain for Intracortical Implants. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:727715. [PMID: 35069092 PMCID: PMC8770436 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.727715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Micromotion-induced stress remains one of the main determinants of life of intracortical implants. This is due to high stress leading to tissue injury, which in turn leads to an immune response coupled with a significant reduction in the nearby neural population and subsequent isolation of the implant. In this work, we develop a finite element model of the intracortical probe-tissue interface to study the effect of implant micromotion, implant thickness, and material properties on the strain levels induced in brain tissue. Our results showed that for stiff implants, the strain magnitude is dependent on the magnitude of the motion, where a micromotion increase from 1 to 10 μm induced an increase in the strain by an order of magnitude. For higher displacement over 10 μm, the change in the strain was relatively smaller. We also showed that displacement magnitude has no impact on the location of maximum strain and addressed the conflicting results in the literature. Further, we explored the effect of different probe materials [i.e., silicon, polyimide (PI), and polyvinyl acetate nanocomposite (PVAc-NC)] on the magnitude, location, and distribution of strain. Finally, we showed that strain distribution across cortical implants was in line with published results on the size of the typical glial response to the neural probe, further reaffirming that strain can be a precursor to the glial response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al Abed
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jason Amatoury
- Sleep and Upper Airway Research Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Massoud Khraiche
- Neural Engineering and Nanobiosensors Group, Biomedical Engineering Program, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Czerwińska-Główka D, Skonieczna M, Barylski A, Golba S, Przystaś W, Zabłocka-Godlewska E, Student S, Cwalina B, Krukiewicz K. Bifunctional conducting polymer matrices with antibacterial and neuroprotective effects. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 144:108030. [PMID: 34896782 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.108030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Current trends in the field of neural tissue engineering include the design of advanced biomaterials combining excellent electrochemical performance with versatile biological characteristics. The purpose of this work was to develop an antibacterial and neuroprotective coating based on a conducting polymer - poly(3,4-ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP), loaded with an antibiotic agent - tetracycline (Tc). Employing an electrochemical technique to immobilize Tc within a growing polymer matrix allowed to fabricate robust PEDOP/Tc coatings with a high charge storage capacity (63.65 ± 6.05 mC/cm2), drug release efficiency (629.4 µg/cm2 ± 62.7 µg/cm2), and low charge transfer resistance (2.4 ± 0.1 kΩ), able to deliver a stable electrical signal. PEDOP/Tc were found to exhibit strong antimicrobial effects against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, expressed through negligible adhesion, reduction in viability, and a characteristic elongation of bacterial cells. Cytocompatibility and neuroprotective effects were evaluated using a rat neuroblastoma B35 cell line, and were analyzed using MTT, cell cycle, and Annexin-V apoptosis assays. The presence of Tc was found to enhance neural cell viability and neurite outgrowth. The results confirmed that PEDOP/Tc can serve as an efficient neural electrode coating able to enhance charge transfer, as well as to exhibit bifunctional biological characteristics, different for eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Czerwińska-Główka
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, M.Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Magdalena Skonieczna
- Department of Systems Biology and Engineering, Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 16, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Adrian Barylski
- Institute of Materials Engineering, University of Silesia, 75 Pulku Piechoty, 41-500 Chorzow, Poland
| | - Sylwia Golba
- Institute of Materials Engineering, University of Silesia, 75 Pulku Piechoty, 41-500 Chorzow, Poland
| | - Wioletta Przystaś
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; Department of Air Protection, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, S. Konarskiego 22B, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Ewa Zabłocka-Godlewska
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; Department of Air Protection, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, S. Konarskiego 22B, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Sebastian Student
- Department of Systems Biology and Engineering, Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 16, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Beata Cwalina
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, S.Konarskiego 18, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Krukiewicz
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, M.Strzody 9, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland.
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Vėbraitė I, David-Pur M, Rand D, Głowacki ED, Hanein Y. Electrophysiological investigation of intact retina with soft printed organic neural interface. J Neural Eng 2021; 18. [PMID: 34736225 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac36ab] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Understanding how the retina converts a natural image or an electrically stimulated one into neural firing patterns is the focus of on-going research activities.Ex vivo, the retina can be readily investigated using multi electrode arrays (MEAs). However, MEA recording and stimulation from an intact retina (in the eye) has been so far insufficient.Approach.In the present study, we report new soft carbon electrode arrays suitable for recording and stimulating neural activity in an intact retina. Screen-printing of carbon ink on 20µm polyurethane (PU) film was used to realize electrode arrays with electrodes as small as 40µm in diameter. Passivation was achieved with a holey membrane, realized using laser drilling in a thin (50µm) PU film. Plasma polymerized 3.4-ethylenedioxythiophene was used to coat the electrode array to improve the electrode specific capacitance. Chick retinas, embryonic stage day 13, both explanted and intact inside an enucleated eye, were used.Main results.A novel fabrication process based on printed carbon electrodes was developed and yielded high capacitance electrodes on a soft substrate.Ex vivoelectrical recording of retina activity with carbon electrodes is demonstrated. With the addition of organic photo-capacitors, simultaneous photo-electrical stimulation and electrical recording was achieved. Finally, electrical activity recordings from an intact chick retina (inside enucleated eyes) were demonstrated. Both photosensitive retinal ganglion cell responses and spontaneous retina waves were recorded and their features analyzed.Significance.Results of this study demonstrated soft electrode arrays with unique properties, suitable for simultaneous recording and photo-electrical stimulation of the retina at high fidelity. This novel electrode technology opens up new frontiers in the study of neural tissuein vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Vėbraitė
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 699780, Israel
| | - Moshe David-Pur
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 699780, Israel
| | - David Rand
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 699780, Israel
| | - Eric Daniel Głowacki
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Brno, 61200, Czech Republic
| | - Yael Hanein
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 699780, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 699780, Israel
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13
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Almasri RM, Abed AA, Wei Y, Wang H, Firth J, Poole-Warren LA, Ladouceur F, Lehmann T, Lovell NH. Impedance Properties of Multi-Optrode Biopotential Sensing Arrays. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2021; 69:1674-1684. [PMID: 34757898 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2021.3126849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Recording and monitoring electrically-excitable cells is critical to understanding the complex cellular networking within organs as well as the processes underlying many electro-physiological pathologies. Biopotential recording using an optical-electrode (optrode) is a novel approach which has potential to significantly improve interface-instrumentation impedance mismatching as recording contact-sizes become smaller and smaller. Optrodes incorporate a conductive interface that can sense extracellular potential and an underlying layer of liquid crystals that passively transduces electrical signals into measurable optical signals. This study investigates the impedance properties of this optical technology by varying the diameter of recording sites and observing the corresponding changes in the impedance values. The results show that the liquid crystals in this optrode platform exhibit input impedance values (1 M 100 G) that are three orders of magnitude higher than the corresponding interface impedance, which is appropriate for voltage sensing. The automatic scaling of the input impedance enabled within the optrode system maintains a relatively constant ratio between input and total system impedance of about one for sensing areas with diameters ranging from 40 m to 1 mm, at which the calculated signal loss is predicted to be <1%. This feature preserves the interface-transducer impedance ratio, regardless of the size of the recording site, allowing development of passive optrode arrays capable of very high spatial-resolution recordings.
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14
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Zhang Z, Tian G, Duan X, Chen HL, Kim Richie DH. Nanostructured PEDOT Coatings for Electrode-Neuron Integration. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2021; 4:5556-5565. [PMID: 35006733 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c00375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neural electrodes have been developed for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke, sensory deficits, and neurological disorders based on the electrical stimulation of nerve tissue and recording of neural electrical activity. A low interface impedance and large active surface area for charge transfer and intimate contact between neurons and the electrode are critical to obtain high-quality neural signal and effective stimulation without causing damage to both tissue and electrode. In this study, a nanostructured poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) coating with lots of long protrusions was created via a one-step electrochemical polymerization from a dichloromethane solution without any rigid or soft templates. The nanostructures on the PEDOT coating were basically formed by intertwined PEDOT nanofibers, which further enhanced the active surface area. The fuzzy PEDOT-modified microelectrodes exhibited an impedance as low as 1 kΩ at 1 kHz, which is much lower than those produced from aqueous 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) solution, and it was comparable with PEDOT films or composites created from/with template materials. Also, more than 150 times larger charge storage capacity density was obtained compared to the unmodified microelectrode. An in vitro biocompatibility test performed on PC12 cells and primary cells suggested that the PEDOT coatings support cell adhesion, growth, and neurite extension. These results suggest the great potential of the nanostructured PEDOT coating as an electroactive and biosafe intimate contact between the implanted neural electrode and neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Zhang
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangzhao Tian
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoge Duan
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Lan Chen
- School of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Hwan Kim Richie
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.,Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS), Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
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15
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Li J, Liu J, Lu W, Wu Z, Yu J, Wang B, Ma Z, Huo W, Huang X. Water-Sintered Transient Nanocomposites Used as Electrical Interconnects for Dissolvable Consumer Electronics. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:32136-32148. [PMID: 34225448 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c07102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rapid development of electronic technology shortens the development time for new products and accelerates the obsolescence of consumer electronics, resulting in the explosive growth of electronic waste that is difficult to recycle and hazardous to the environment and human health. Transient electronics that can dissolve in water may potentially be adopted to tackle the issues of electronic waste; however, promising approaches to yield large-scale and high-performance transient consumer electronics have not yet been developed. Here, the joint effect of galvanic corrosion and redeposition has been utilized to develop bimetallic transient nanocomposites, which can be printed and water-sintered to yield high-performance transient PCB circuits with excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical robustness. The entire sintering process requires no external energy and strict environmental conditions. The achieved PCB circuits offer a conductivity of 307,664.4 S/m that is among the highest in comparison with other printed transient circuits. The supreme performance of the transient circuits eventually leads to the first dissolvable smartwatch that offers the same functions and similar performance as conventional smartwatches and dissolves in water within 40 h. The joint effect of galvanic corrosion and redeposition between two metals with distinct activities leads to novel nanocomposites and processing techniques of transient electronics. The resulting high-performance transient devices may reshape the appearance of consumer electronics and reform the electronics recycling industry by reducing recycling costs and minimizing environmental pollution and health hazard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiameng Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jiayin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Wangwei Lu
- Institute of Flexible Electronics Technology of Tsinghua University Zhejiang, 906 Yatai Road, Jiaxing 314000, China
| | - Ziyue Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jingxian Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Bangbang Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhe Ma
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, 135 Yaguan Road, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Wenxing Huo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Xian Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300072, China
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