1
|
Yi D, Yao Y, Wang Y, Chen L. Design, Fabrication, and Implantation of Invasive Microelectrode Arrays as in vivo Brain Machine Interfaces: A Comprehensive Review. JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES 2024; 126:185-207. [PMID: 39185373 PMCID: PMC11340637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmapro.2024.07.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Invasive Microelectrode Arrays (MEAs) have been a significant and useful tool for us to gain a fundamental understanding of how the brain works through high spatiotemporal resolution neuron-level recordings and/or stimulations. Through decades of research, various types of microwire, silicon, and flexible substrate-based MEAs have been developed using the evolving new materials, novel design concepts, and cutting-edge advanced manufacturing capabilities. Surgical implantation of the latest minimal damaging flexible MEAs through the hard-to-penetrate brain membranes introduces new challenges and thus the development of implantation strategies and instruments for the latest MEAs. In this paper, studies on the design considerations and enabling manufacturing processes of various invasive MEAs as in vivo brain-machine interfaces have been reviewed to facilitate the development as well as the state-of-art of such brain-machine interfaces from an engineering perspective. The challenges and solution strategies developed for surgically implanting such interfaces into the brain have also been evaluated and summarized. Finally, the research gaps have been identified in the design, manufacturing, and implantation perspectives, and future research prospects in invasive MEA development have been proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Yi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854
| | - Yao Yao
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhang H, Jiao L, Yang S, Li H, Jiang X, Feng J, Zou S, Xu Q, Gu J, Wang X, Wei B. Brain-computer interfaces: the innovative key to unlocking neurological conditions. Int J Surg 2024; 110:5745-5762. [PMID: 39166947 PMCID: PMC11392146 DOI: 10.1097/js9.0000000000002022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury can pose significant threats to human mortality, morbidity, and functional independence. Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology, which facilitates direct communication between the brain and external devices, emerges as an innovative key to unlocking neurological conditions, demonstrating significant promise in this context. This comprehensive review uniquely synthesizes the latest advancements in BCI research across multiple neurological disorders, offering an interdisciplinary perspective on both clinical applications and emerging technologies. We explore the progress in BCI research and its applications in addressing various neurological conditions, with a particular focus on recent clinical studies and prospective developments. Initially, the review provides an up-to-date overview of BCI technology, encompassing its classification, operational principles, and prevalent paradigms. It then critically examines specific BCI applications in movement disorders, disorders of consciousness, cognitive and mental disorders, as well as sensory disorders, highlighting novel approaches and their potential impact on patient care. This review reveals emerging trends in BCI applications, such as the integration of artificial intelligence and the development of closed-loop systems, which represent significant advancements over previous technologies. The review concludes by discussing the prospects and directions of BCI technology, underscoring the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical considerations. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing bidirectional and high-performance BCIs, areas that have been underexplored in previous reviews. Additionally, we identify crucial gaps in current research, particularly in long-term clinical efficacy and the need for standardized protocols. The role of neurosurgery in spearheading the clinical translation of BCI research is highlighted. Our comprehensive analysis presents BCI technology as an innovative key to unlocking neurological disorders, offering a transformative approach to diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating neurological conditions, with substantial potential to enhance patients' quality of life and advance the field of neurotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
- Harbin Medical University, Harbin
| | - Le Jiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Qiqihar, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province
| | | | | | | | - Jing Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
- Harbin Medical University, Harbin
| | - Shuhuai Zou
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
- Harbin Medical University, Harbin
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
- Harbin Medical University, Harbin
| | - Jianheng Gu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
- Harbin Medical University, Harbin
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
| | - Baojian Wei
- School of Nursing, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Darlot F, Villard P, Salam LA, Rousseau L, Piret G. Glial scarring around intra-cortical MEA implants with flexible and free microwires inserted using biodegradable PLGA needles. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1408088. [PMID: 39104630 PMCID: PMC11298340 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1408088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Many invasive and noninvasive neurotechnologies are being developed to help treat neurological pathologies and disorders. Making a brain implant safe, stable, and efficient in the long run is one of the requirements to conform with neuroethics and overcome limitations for numerous promising neural treatments. A main limitation is low biocompatibility, characterized by the damage implants create in brain tissue and their low adhesion to it. This damage is partly linked to friction over time due to the mechanical mismatch between the soft brain tissue and the more rigid wires. Methods: Here, we performed a short biocompatibility assessment of bio-inspired intra-cortical implants named "Neurosnooper" made of a microelectrode array consisting of a thin, flexible polymer-metal-polymer stack with microwires that mimic axons. Implants were assembled into poly-lactic-glycolic acid (PLGA) biodegradable needles for their intra-cortical implantation. Results and Discussion: The study of glial scars around implants, at 7 days and 2 months post-implantation, revealed a good adhesion between the brain tissue and implant wires and a low glial scar thickness. The lowest corresponds to electrode wires with a section size of 8 μm × 10 μm, compared to implants with the 8 μm × 50 μm electrode wire section size, and a straight shape appears to be better than a zigzag. Therefore, in addition to flexibility, size and shape parameters are important when designing electrode wires for the next generation of clinical intra-cortical implants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fannie Darlot
- Braintech Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1205, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Paul Villard
- Braintech Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1205, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Lara Abdel Salam
- Braintech Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1205, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Gaëlle Piret
- Braintech Laboratory, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1205, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hermosillo-Abundis C, Méndez-Rojas MA, Arias-Carrión O. Implications of environmental nanoparticles on neurodegeneration. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25340. [PMID: 38745527 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25340] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The ubiquity of nanoparticles, sourced from both natural environments and human activities, presents critical challenges for public health. While offering significant potential for innovative biomedical applications-especially in enhancing drug transport across the blood-brain barrier-these particles also introduce possible hazards due to inadvertent exposure. This concise review explores the paradoxical nature of nanoparticles, emphasizing their promising applications in healthcare juxtaposed with their potential neurotoxic consequences. Through a detailed examination, we delineate the pathways through which nanoparticles can reach the brain and the subsequent health implications. There is growing evidence of a disturbing association between nanoparticle exposure and the onset of neurodegenerative conditions, highlighting the imperative for comprehensive research and strategic interventions. Gaining a deep understanding of these mechanisms and enacting protective policies are crucial steps toward reducing the health threats of nanoparticles, thereby maximizing their therapeutic advantages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Miguel A Méndez-Rojas
- Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Puebla City, Mexico
| | - Oscar Arias-Carrión
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento y Sueño, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ng PR, Bush A, Vissani M, McIntyre CC, Richardson RM. Biophysical Principles and Computational Modeling of Deep Brain Stimulation. Neuromodulation 2024; 27:422-439. [PMID: 37204360 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.04.471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has revolutionized the treatment of neurological disorders, yet the mechanisms of DBS are still under investigation. Computational models are important in silico tools for elucidating these underlying principles and potentially for personalizing DBS therapy to individual patients. The basic principles underlying neurostimulation computational models, however, are not well known in the clinical neuromodulation community. OBJECTIVE In this study, we present a tutorial on the derivation of computational models of DBS and outline the biophysical contributions of electrodes, stimulation parameters, and tissue substrates to the effects of DBS. RESULTS Given that many aspects of DBS are difficult to characterize experimentally, computational models have played an important role in understanding how material, size, shape, and contact segmentation influence device biocompatibility, energy efficiency, the spatial spread of the electric field, and the specificity of neural activation. Neural activation is dictated by stimulation parameters including frequency, current vs voltage control, amplitude, pulse width, polarity configurations, and waveform. These parameters also affect the potential for tissue damage, energy efficiency, the spatial spread of the electric field, and the specificity of neural activation. Activation of the neural substrate also is influenced by the encapsulation layer surrounding the electrode, the conductivity of the surrounding tissue, and the size and orientation of white matter fibers. These properties modulate the effects of the electric field and determine the ultimate therapeutic response. CONCLUSION This article describes biophysical principles that are useful for understanding the mechanisms of neurostimulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan Bush
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matteo Vissani
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cameron C McIntyre
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Robert Mark Richardson
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rodilla BL, Arché-Núñez A, Ruiz-Gómez S, Domínguez-Bajo A, Fernández-González C, Guillén-Colomer C, González-Mayorga A, Rodríguez-Díez N, Camarero J, Miranda R, López-Dolado E, Ocón P, Serrano MC, Pérez L, González MT. Flexible metallic core-shell nanostructured electrodes for neural interfacing. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3729. [PMID: 38355737 PMCID: PMC10866994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53719-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrodes with nanostructured surface have emerged as promising low-impedance neural interfaces that can avoid the charge-injection restrictions typically associated to microelectrodes. In this work, we propose a novel approximation, based on a two-step template assisted electrodeposition technique, to obtain flexible nanostructured electrodes coated with core-shell Ni-Au vertical nanowires. These nanowires benefit from biocompatibility of the Au shell exposed to the environment and the mechanical properties of Ni that allow for nanowires longer and more homogeneous in length than their only-Au counterparts. The nanostructured electrodes show impedance values, measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), at least 9 times lower than those of flat reference electrodes. This ratio is in good accordance with the increased effective surface area determined both from SEM images and cyclic voltammetry measurements, evidencing that only Au is exposed to the medium. The observed EIS profile evolution of Ni-Au electrodes over 7 days were very close to those of Au electrodes and differently from Ni ones. Finally, the morphology, viability and neuronal differentiation of rat embryonic cortical cells cultured on Ni-Au NW electrodes were found to be similar to those on control (glass) substrates and Au NW electrodes, accompanied by a lower glial cell differentiation. This positive in-vitro neural cell behavior encourages further investigation to explore the tissue responses that the implantation of these nanostructured electrodes might elicit in healthy (damaged) neural tissues in vivo, with special emphasis on eventual tissue encapsulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz L Rodilla
- Fundación IMDEA Nanociencia, Calle Faraday 9, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Física de Materiales, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de las Ciencias S/N, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Arché-Núñez
- Fundación IMDEA Nanociencia, Calle Faraday 9, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Ruiz-Gómez
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ana Domínguez-Bajo
- Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), CSIC, Calle Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology group (AMCB), Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), Université catholique de Louvain, Place Croix du Sud 5, 1348 , Louvain la Neuve, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | - Julio Camarero
- Fundación IMDEA Nanociencia, Calle Faraday 9, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Department de Física de la Materia Condensada and Instituto "Nicolás Cabrera", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rodolfo Miranda
- Fundación IMDEA Nanociencia, Calle Faraday 9, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Department de Física de la Materia Condensada and Instituto "Nicolás Cabrera", Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa López-Dolado
- Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, SESCAM, Finca la Peraleda S/N, 45071, Toledo, Spain
- Design and development of Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration, HNP-SESCAM, Associated Unit With CSIC Through ICMM, Finca La Peraleda S/N, 45071, Toledo, Spain
| | - Pilar Ocón
- Departamento de Química Física Aplicada, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - María C Serrano
- Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid (ICMM), CSIC, Calle Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucas Pérez
- Fundación IMDEA Nanociencia, Calle Faraday 9, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Física de Materiales, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de las Ciencias S/N, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Aktas B, Ozgun A, Kilickap BD, Garipcan B. Cell adhesion molecule immobilized gold surfaces for enhanced neuron-electrode interfaces. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2024; 112:e35310. [PMID: 37950592 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.35310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
To provide a long-term solution for increasing the biocompatibility of neuroprosthetics, approaches to reduce the side effects of invasive neuro-implantable devices are still in need of improvement. Physical, chemical, and bioactive design aspects of the biomaterials are proven to be important for providing proper cell-to-cell, cell-to-material interactions. Particularly, modification of implant surfaces with bioactive cues, especially cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that capitalize on native neural adhesion mechanisms, are promising candidates in favor of providing efficient interfaces. Within this concept, this study utilized specific CAMs, namely N-Cadherin (Neural cadherin, N-Cad) and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), to enhance neuron-electrode contact by mimicking the cell-to-ECM interactions for improving the survival of cells and promoting neurite outgrowth. For this purpose, representative gold electrode surfaces were modified with N-Cadherin, NCAM, and the mixture (1:1) of these molecules. Modifications were characterized, and the effect of surface modification on both differentiated and undifferentiated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell lines were compared. The findings demonstrated the successful modification of these molecules which subsequently exhibited biocompatible properties as evidenced by the cell viability results. In cell culture experiments, the CAMs displayed promising results in promoting neurite outgrowth compared to conventional poly-l-lysine coated surfaces, especially NCAM and N-Cad/NCAM modified surfaces clearly showed significant improvement. Overall, this optimized approach is expected to provide an insight into the action mechanisms of cells against the local environment and advance processes for the fabrication of alternative neural interfaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bengu Aktas
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Alp Ozgun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Bora Garipcan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alahi MEE, Rizu MI, Tina FW, Huang Z, Nag A, Afsarimanesh N. Recent Advancements in Graphene-Based Implantable Electrodes for Neural Recording/Stimulation. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:9911. [PMID: 38139756 PMCID: PMC10747868 DOI: 10.3390/s23249911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Implantable electrodes represent a groundbreaking advancement in nervous system research, providing a pivotal tool for recording and stimulating human neural activity. This capability is integral for unraveling the intricacies of the nervous system's functionality and for devising innovative treatments for various neurological disorders. Implantable electrodes offer distinct advantages compared to conventional recording and stimulating neural activity methods. They deliver heightened precision, fewer associated side effects, and the ability to gather data from diverse neural sources. Crucially, the development of implantable electrodes necessitates key attributes: flexibility, stability, and high resolution. Graphene emerges as a highly promising material for fabricating such electrodes due to its exceptional properties. It boasts remarkable flexibility, ensuring seamless integration with the complex and contoured surfaces of neural tissues. Additionally, graphene exhibits low electrical resistance, enabling efficient transmission of neural signals. Its transparency further extends its utility, facilitating compatibility with various imaging techniques and optogenetics. This paper showcases noteworthy endeavors in utilizing graphene in its pure form and as composites to create and deploy implantable devices tailored for neural recordings and stimulations. It underscores the potential for significant advancements in this field. Furthermore, this paper delves into prospective avenues for refining existing graphene-based electrodes, enhancing their suitability for neural recording applications in in vitro and in vivo settings. These future steps promise to revolutionize further our capacity to understand and interact with the neural research landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md Eshrat E. Alahi
- School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University, 222 Thaiburi, Thasala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand
| | - Mubdiul Islam Rizu
- Microsystems Nanotechnologies for Chemical Analysis (MINOS), Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Avinguda Països Catalans, 26—Campus Sescelades, 43007 Tarragona, Spain;
| | - Fahmida Wazed Tina
- Creative Innovation in Science and Technology Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80280, Thailand;
| | - Zhaoling Huang
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin 541004, China;
| | - Anindya Nag
- Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany;
- Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop (CeTI), Technische Universität Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Nasrin Afsarimanesh
- School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Boulingre M, Portillo-Lara R, Green RA. Biohybrid neural interfaces: improving the biological integration of neural implants. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:14745-14758. [PMID: 37991846 PMCID: PMC10720954 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc05006h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Implantable neural interfaces (NIs) have emerged in the clinic as outstanding tools for the management of a variety of neurological conditions caused by trauma or disease. However, the foreign body reaction triggered upon implantation remains one of the major challenges hindering the safety and longevity of NIs. The integration of tools and principles from biomaterial design and tissue engineering has been investigated as a promising strategy to develop NIs with enhanced functionality and performance. In this Feature Article, we highlight the main bioengineering approaches for the development of biohybrid NIs with an emphasis on relevant device design criteria. Technical and scientific challenges associated with the fabrication and functional assessment of technologies composed of both artificial and biological components are discussed. Lastly, we provide future perspectives related to engineering, regulatory, and neuroethical challenges to be addressed towards the realisation of the promise of biohybrid neurotechnology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marjolaine Boulingre
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Roberto Portillo-Lara
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Rylie A Green
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Schaufler A, Sanin AY, Sandalcioglu IE, Hartmann K, Croner RS, Perrakis A, Wartmann T, Boese A, Kahlert UD, Fischer I. Concept of a fully-implantable system to monitor tumor recurrence. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16362. [PMID: 37773315 PMCID: PMC10541913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43226-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Current treatment for glioblastoma includes tumor resection followed by radiation, chemotherapy, and periodic post-operative examinations. Despite combination therapies, patients face a poor prognosis and eventual recurrence, which often occurs at the resection site. With standard MRI imaging surveillance, histologic changes may be overlooked or misinterpreted, leading to erroneous conclusions about the course of adjuvant therapy and subsequent interventions. To address these challenges, we propose an implantable system for accurate continuous recurrence monitoring that employs optical sensing of fluorescently labeled cancer cells and is implanted in the resection cavity during the final stage of tumor resection. We demonstrate the feasibility of the sensing principle using miniaturized system components, optical tissue phantoms, and porcine brain tissue in a series of experimental trials. Subsequently, the system electronics are extended to include circuitry for wireless energy transfer and power management and verified through electromagnetic field, circuit simulations and test of an evaluation board. Finally, a holistic conceptual system design is presented and visualized. This novel approach to monitor glioblastoma patients is intended to early detect recurrent cancerous tissue and enable personalization and optimization of therapy thus potentially improving overall prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schaufler
- Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Clinic for General-, Visceral-, Vascular - and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- INKA Health Tech Innovation Lab., Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ahmed Y Sanin
- Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Clinic for General-, Visceral-, Vascular - and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - I Erol Sandalcioglu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Karl Hartmann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Roland S Croner
- Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Clinic for General-, Visceral-, Vascular - and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Aristotelis Perrakis
- Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Clinic for General-, Visceral-, Vascular - and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Wartmann
- Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Clinic for General-, Visceral-, Vascular - and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Axel Boese
- INKA Health Tech Innovation Lab., Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ulf D Kahlert
- Molecular and Experimental Surgery, Clinic for General-, Visceral-, Vascular - and Transplant Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Igor Fischer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Stieglitz T, Gueli C, Martens J, Floto N, Eickenscheidt M, Sporer M, Ortmanns M. Highly conformable chip-in-foil implants for neural applications. MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING 2023; 9:54. [PMID: 37180455 PMCID: PMC10167239 DOI: 10.1038/s41378-023-00527-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Demands for neural interfaces around functionality, high spatial resolution, and longevity have recently increased. These requirements can be met with sophisticated silicon-based integrated circuits. Embedding miniaturized dice in flexible polymer substrates significantly improves their adaptation to the mechanical environment in the body, thus improving the systems' structural biocompatibility and ability to cover larger areas of the brain. This work addresses the main challenges in developing a hybrid chip-in-foil neural implant. Assessments considered (1) the mechanical compliance to the recipient tissue that allows a long-term application and (2) the suitable design that allows the implant's scaling and modular adaptation of chip arrangement. Finite element model studies were performed to identify design rules regarding die geometry, interconnect routing, and positions for contact pads on dice. Providing edge fillets in the die base shape proved an effective measure to improve die-substrate integrity and increase the area available for contact pads. Furthermore, routing of interconnects in the immediate vicinity of die corners should be avoided, as the substrate in these areas is prone to mechanical stress concentration. Contact pads on dice should be placed with a clearance from the die rim to avoid delamination when the implant conforms to a curvilinear body. A microfabrication process was developed to transfer, align, and electrically interconnect multiple dice into conformable polyimide-based substrates. The process enabled arbitrary die shape and size over independent target positions on the conformable substrate based on the die position on the fabrication wafer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Stieglitz
- Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering - IMTEK, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
- BrainLinks-BrainTools// IMBIT, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Calogero Gueli
- Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering - IMTEK, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julien Martens
- Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering - IMTEK, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
- BrainLinks-BrainTools// IMBIT, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Niklas Floto
- Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering - IMTEK, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
- BrainLinks-BrainTools// IMBIT, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Max Eickenscheidt
- Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology, Department of Microsystems Engineering - IMTEK, University of Freiburg, D-79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Markus Sporer
- Institute of Microelectronics, University of Ulm, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Maurits Ortmanns
- Institute of Microelectronics, University of Ulm, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Biosensor integrated brain-on-a-chip platforms: Progress and prospects in clinical translation. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 225:115100. [PMID: 36709589 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Because of the brain's complexity, developing effective treatments for neurological disorders is a formidable challenge. Research efforts to this end are advancing as in vitro systems have reached the point that they can imitate critical components of the brain's structure and function. Brain-on-a-chip (BoC) was first used for microfluidics-based systems with small synthetic tissues but has expanded recently to include in vitro simulation of the central nervous system (CNS). Defining the system's qualifying parameters may improve the BoC for the next generation of in vitro platforms. These parameters show how well a given platform solves the problems unique to in vitro CNS modeling (like recreating the brain's microenvironment and including essential parts like the blood-brain barrier (BBB)) and how much more value it offers than traditional cell culture systems. This review provides an overview of the practical concerns of creating and deploying BoC systems and elaborates on how these technologies might be used. Not only how advanced biosensing technologies could be integrated with BoC system but also how novel approaches will automate assays and improve point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics and accurate quantitative analyses are discussed. Key challenges providing opportunities for clinical translation of BoC in neurodegenerative disorders are also addressed.
Collapse
|
14
|
Kumosa LS. Commonly Overlooked Factors in Biocompatibility Studies of Neural Implants. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2205095. [PMID: 36596702 PMCID: PMC9951391 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Biocompatibility of cutting-edge neural implants, surgical tools and techniques, and therapeutic technologies is a challenging concept that can be easily misjudged. For example, neural interfaces are routinely gauged on how effectively they determine active neurons near their recording sites. Tissue integration and toxicity of neural interfaces are frequently assessed histologically in animal models to determine tissue morphological and cellular changes in response to surgical implantation and chronic presence. A disconnect between histological and efficacious biocompatibility exists, however, as neuronal numbers frequently observed near electrodes do not match recorded neuronal spiking activity. The downstream effects of the myriad surgical and experimental factors involved in such studies are rarely examined when deciding whether a technology or surgical process is biocompatible. Such surgical factors as anesthesia, temperature excursions, bleed incidence, mechanical forces generated, and metabolic conditions are known to have strong systemic and thus local cellular and extracellular consequences. Many tissue markers are extremely sensitive to the physiological state of cells and tissues, thus significantly impacting histological accuracy. This review aims to shed light on commonly overlooked factors that can have a strong impact on the assessment of neural biocompatibility and to address the mismatch between results stemming from functional and histological methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas S. Kumosa
- Neuronano Research CenterDepartment of Experimental Medical ScienceMedical FacultyLund UniversityMedicon Village, Byggnad 404 A2, Scheelevägen 8Lund223 81Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Guljakow J, Lang W. Failure Reason of PI Test Samples of Neural Implants. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:1340. [PMID: 36772377 PMCID: PMC9919689 DOI: 10.3390/s23031340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Samples that were meant to simulate the behavior of neural implants were put into Ringer's solution, and the occurring damage was assessed. The samples consist of an interdigitated gold-structure and two contact pads embedded between two Polyimide layers, resulting in free-floating structures. The two parts of the interdigitated structure have no electric contacts and are submerged in the solution during the experiment. The samples were held at temperatures of 37 and 57 ∘C in order to undergo an accelerated lifetime test and to compare the results. During the course of the experiment, a voltage was applied and measured over a resistance of 1 kOhm over time. Arduinos were used as measuring devices. As the intact samples are insulating, a sudden rise in voltage indicates a sample failure due to liquid leaking in between the two polyimide layers. Once a short-circuit occurred and a sample broke down, the samples were taken out of the vial and examined under a microscope. In virtually all cases, delamination was observable, with variation in the extent of the delaminated area. A comparison between measured voltages after failure and damage did not show a correlation between voltage and area affected by delamination. However, at a temperature of 37 ∘C, voltage remained constant most of the time after delamination, and a pin-hole lead to a lower measured voltage and strong fluctuations. Visually, no difference in damage between the 37 and the 57 ∘C samples was observed, although fluctuations of measured voltage occurred in numerous samples at a higher temperature. This difference hints at differences in the reasons for failure and thus limited applicability of accelerated lifetime tests.
Collapse
|
16
|
Saghir S, Imenes K, Schiavone G. Integration of hydrogels in microfabrication processes for bioelectronic medicine: Progress and outlook. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1150147. [PMID: 37034261 PMCID: PMC10079906 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1150147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent research aiming at the development of electroceuticals for the treatment of medical conditions such as degenerative diseases, cardiac arrhythmia and chronic pain, has given rise to microfabricated implanted bioelectronic devices capable of interacting with host biological tissues in synergistic modalities. Owing to their multimodal affinity to biological tissues, hydrogels have emerged as promising interface materials for bioelectronic devices. Here, we review the state-of-the-art and forefront in the techniques used by research groups for the integration of hydrogels into the microfabrication processes of bioelectronic devices, and present the manufacturability challenges to unlock their further clinical deployment.
Collapse
|
17
|
Contuzzi N, Casalino G, Boccaccio A, Ballini A, Charitos IA, Bottalico L, Santacroce L. Metals Biotribology and Oral Microbiota Biocorrosion Mechanisms. J Funct Biomater 2022; 14:14. [PMID: 36662061 PMCID: PMC9863779 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14010014] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decades, metal-based biomaterials have been extensively explored to be used as biocompatible metals for biomedical applications, owing to their superior mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Consequently, for long-term implanted medical devices, to assure the biomaterials' reliability, functionality, and biocompatibility, studying the various bio-tribological damage mechanisms to obtain the optimum properties is one of the most important goals. In this review, we consider the most important metal-based biomaterials such as stainless steel, alloys of titanium (Ti), cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr), and Nichel-Titatium (Ni-Ti), as well Magnesium (Mg) alloys and with Tantalum (Ta), emphasizing their characteristics, clinical applications, and deterioration over time. The influence of metal elements on biological safety, including significant effects of metal-based biomaterials in dentistry were discussed, considering the perspectives of surface, mechanical properties, corrosion behaviors, including interactions, bio-mechanisms with tissues, and oral environments. In addition, the role of the oral microbiota was explored due to its role in this erosion condition, in order to further understand the mechanism of metal-based biomaterials implanted on the microflora balance of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in an oral environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Contuzzi
- Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Casalino
- Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Boccaccio
- Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Ioannis Alexandros Charitos
- Emergency/Urgent Department, National Poisoning Center, Riuniti University Hospital of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Bottalico
- Interdepartmental Research Center for Pre-Latin, Latin and Oriental Rights and Culture Studies (CEDICLO), University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Santacroce
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Microbiology and Virology Unit, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Atherton E, Hu Y, Brown S, Papiez E, Ling V, Colvin V, Borton D. A 3D in vitro model of the device-tissue interface: Functional and structural symptoms of innate neuroinflammation are mitigated by antioxidant ceria nanoparticles. J Neural Eng 2022; 19. [PMID: 35447619 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac6908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The recording instability of neural implants due to neuroinflammation at the device-tissue interface is a primary roadblock to broad adoption of brain-machine interfaces. While a multiphasic immune response, marked by glial scaring, oxidative stress (OS), and neurodegeneration, is well-characterized, the independent contributions of systemic and local "innate" immune responses are not well-understood. We aimed to understand and mitigate the isolated the innate neuroinflammatory response to devices. APPROACH Three-dimensional primary neural cultures provide a unique environment for studying the drivers of neuroinflammation by decoupling the innate and systemic immune systems, while conserving an endogenous extracellular matrix and structural and functional network complexity. We created a three-dimensional in vitro model of the DTI by seeding primary cortical cells around microwires. Live imaging of both dye and AAV-mediated functional, structural, and lipid peroxidation fluorescence was employed to characterize the neuroinflammatory response. MAIN RESULTS Live imaging of microtissues over time revealed independent innate neuroinflammation, marked by increased OS, decreased neuronal density, and increased functional connectivity. We demonstrated the use of this model for therapeutic screening by directly applying drugs to neural tissue, bypassing low bioavailability through the in vivo blood brain barrier. As there is growing interest in long-acting antioxidant therapies, we tested efficacy of "perpetual" antioxidant ceria nanoparticles, which reduced OS, increased neuronal density, and protected functional connectivity. SIGNIFICANCE Our 3D in vitro model of the device-tissue interface exhibited symptoms of OS-mediated innate neuroinflammation, indicating a significant local immune response to devices. The dysregulation of functional connectivity of microcircuits surround implants suggests the presence of an observer effect, in which the process of recording neural activity may fundamentally change the neural signal. Finally, the demonstration of antioxidant ceria nanoparticle treatment exhibited substantial promise as a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory treatment strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elaina Atherton
- School of Engineering, Brown University, 182 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, UNITED STATES
| | - Yue Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, 182 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, UNITED STATES
| | - Sophie Brown
- School of Engineering, Brown University, 182 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, UNITED STATES
| | - Emily Papiez
- School of Engineering, Brown University, 182 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, UNITED STATES
| | - Vivian Ling
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, 182 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, UNITED STATES
| | - Vicki Colvin
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, 182 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, UNITED STATES
| | - David Borton
- School of Engineering, Brown University, 182 Hope Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA, Providence, Rhode Island, 02912, UNITED STATES
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
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 2022; 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] [MESH Headings] [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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Balakrishnan G, Song J, Mou C, Bettinger CJ. Recent Progress in Materials Chemistry to Advance Flexible Bioelectronics in Medicine. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2106787. [PMID: 34751987 PMCID: PMC8917047 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202106787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Designing bioelectronic devices that seamlessly integrate with the human body is a technological pursuit of great importance. Bioelectronic medical devices that reliably and chronically interface with the body can advance neuroscience, health monitoring, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Recent major efforts focus on investigating strategies to fabricate flexible, stretchable, and soft electronic devices, and advances in materials chemistry have emerged as fundamental to the creation of the next generation of bioelectronics. This review summarizes contemporary advances and forthcoming technical challenges related to three principal components of bioelectronic devices: i) substrates and structural materials, ii) barrier and encapsulation materials, and iii) conductive materials. Through notable illustrations from the literature, integration and device fabrication strategies and associated challenges for each material class are highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiwoo Song
- Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Chenchen Mou
- Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Bousalis D, McCrary MW, Vaughn N, Hlavac N, Evering A, Kolli S, Song YH, Morley C, Angelini T, Schmidt CE. Decellularized peripheral nerve as an injectable delivery vehicle for neural applications. J Biomed Mater Res A 2022; 110:595-611. [PMID: 34590403 PMCID: PMC8742792 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Damage to the nervous system can result in loss of sensory and motor function, paralysis, or even death. To facilitate neural regeneration and functional recovery, researchers have employed biomaterials strategies to address both peripheral and central nervous system injuries. Injectable hydrogels that recapitulate native nerve extracellular matrix are especially promising for neural tissue engineering because they offer more flexibility for minimally invasive applications and provide a growth-permissive substrate for neural cell types. Here, we explore the development of injectable hydrogels derived from decellularized rat peripheral nerves (referred to as "injectable peripheral nerve [iPN] hydrogels"), which are processed using a newly developed sodium deoxycholate and DNase (SDD) decellularization method. We assess the gelation kinetics, mechanical properties, cell bioactivity, and drug release kinetics of the iPN hydrogels. The iPN hydrogels thermally gel when exposed to 37°C in under 20 min and have mechanical properties similar to neural tissue. The hydrogels demonstrate in vitro biocompatibility through support of Schwann cell viability and metabolic activity. Additionally, iPN hydrogels promote greater astrocyte spreading compared to collagen I hydrogels. Finally, the iPN is a promising delivery vehicle of drug-loaded microparticles for a combinatorial approach to neural injury therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deanna Bousalis
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Michaela W. McCrary
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Natalie Vaughn
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Nora Hlavac
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Ashley Evering
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Shruti Kolli
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Young Hye Song
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
| | - Cameron Morley
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Thomas Angelini
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - Christine E. Schmidt
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Spira ME, Erez H, Sharon A. Assessing the Feasibility of Developing in vivo Neuroprobes for Parallel Intracellular Recording and Stimulation: A Perspective. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:807797. [PMID: 35145375 PMCID: PMC8821521 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.807797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Developing novel neuroprobes that enable parallel multisite, long-term intracellular recording and stimulation of neurons in freely behaving animals is a neuroscientist's dream. When fulfilled, it is expected to significantly enhance brain research at fundamental mechanistic levels including that of subthreshold signaling and computations. Here we assess the feasibility of merging the advantages of in vitro vertical nanopillar technologies that support intracellular recordings with contemporary concepts of in vivo extracellular field potential recordings to generate the dream neuroprobes that read the entire electrophysiological signaling repertoire.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Micha E. Spira
- Department of Neurobiology, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Charles E. Smith Family and Prof. Joel Elkes Laboratory for Collaborative Research in Psychobiology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Harvey M. Kruger Family Center for Nanoscience, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hadas Erez
- Department of Neurobiology, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Charles E. Smith Family and Prof. Joel Elkes Laboratory for Collaborative Research in Psychobiology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aviv Sharon
- Department of Neurobiology, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Charles E. Smith Family and Prof. Joel Elkes Laboratory for Collaborative Research in Psychobiology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Vėbraitė I, Hanein Y. Soft Devices for High-Resolution Neuro-Stimulation: The Interplay Between Low-Rigidity and Resolution. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 3:675744. [PMID: 35047928 PMCID: PMC8757739 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2021.675744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of neurostimulation has evolved over the last few decades from a crude, low-resolution approach to a highly sophisticated methodology entailing the use of state-of-the-art technologies. Neurostimulation has been tested for a growing number of neurological applications, demonstrating great promise and attracting growing attention in both academia and industry. Despite tremendous progress, long-term stability of the implants, their large dimensions, their rigidity and the methods of their introduction and anchoring to sensitive neural tissue remain challenging. The purpose of this review is to provide a concise introduction to the field of high-resolution neurostimulation from a technological perspective and to focus on opportunities stemming from developments in materials sciences and engineering to reduce device rigidity while optimizing electrode small dimensions. We discuss how these factors may contribute to smaller, lighter, softer and higher electrode density devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Vėbraitė
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Hanein
- School of Electrical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Otte E, Vlachos A, Asplund M. Engineering strategies towards overcoming bleeding and glial scar formation around neural probes. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 387:461-477. [PMID: 35029757 PMCID: PMC8975777 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03567-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neural probes are sophisticated electrophysiological tools used for intra-cortical recording and stimulation. These microelectrode arrays, designed to penetrate and interface the brain from within, contribute at the forefront of basic and clinical neuroscience. However, one of the challenges and currently most significant limitations is their ‘seamless’ long-term integration into the surrounding brain tissue. Following implantation, which is typically accompanied by bleeding, the tissue responds with a scarring process, resulting in a gliotic region closest to the probe. This glial scarring is often associated with neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and a leaky blood–brain interface (BBI). The engineering progress on minimizing this reaction in the form of improved materials, microfabrication, and surgical techniques is summarized in this review. As research over the past decade has progressed towards a more detailed understanding of the nature of this biological response, it is time to pose the question: Are penetrating probes completely free from glial scarring at all possible?
Collapse
|
25
|
Salari V, Rodrigues S, Saglamyurek E, Simon C, Oblak D. Are Brain-Computer Interfaces Feasible With Integrated Photonic Chips? Front Neurosci 2022; 15:780344. [PMID: 35069099 PMCID: PMC8777191 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.780344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The present paper examines the viability of a radically novel idea for brain-computer interface (BCI), which could lead to novel technological, experimental, and clinical applications. BCIs are computer-based systems that enable either one-way or two-way communication between a living brain and an external machine. BCIs read-out brain signals and transduce them into task commands, which are performed by a machine. In closed loop, the machine can stimulate the brain with appropriate signals. In recent years, it has been shown that there is some ultraweak light emission from neurons within or close to the visible and near-infrared parts of the optical spectrum. Such ultraweak photon emission (UPE) reflects the cellular (and body) oxidative status, and compelling pieces of evidence are beginning to emerge that UPE may well play an informational role in neuronal functions. In fact, several experiments point to a direct correlation between UPE intensity and neural activity, oxidative reactions, EEG activity, cerebral blood flow, cerebral energy metabolism, and release of glutamate. Therefore, we propose a novel skull implant BCI that uses UPE. We suggest that a photonic integrated chip installed on the interior surface of the skull may enable a new form of extraction of the relevant features from the UPE signals. In the current technology landscape, photonic technologies are advancing rapidly and poised to overtake many electrical technologies, due to their unique advantages, such as miniaturization, high speed, low thermal effects, and large integration capacity that allow for high yield, volume manufacturing, and lower cost. For our proposed BCI, we are making some very major conjectures, which need to be experimentally verified, and therefore we discuss the controversial parts, feasibility of technology and limitations, and potential impact of this envisaged technology if successfully implemented in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Salari
- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM), Bilbao, Spain
- Quantum Biology Laboratory, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Erhan Saglamyurek
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Daniel Oblak
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Dabbour AH, Tan S, Kim SH, Guild SJ, Heppner P, McCormick D, Wright BE, Leung D, Gallichan R, Budgett D, Malpas SC. The Safety of Micro-Implants for the Brain. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:796203. [PMID: 34955740 PMCID: PMC8695845 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.796203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological advancements in electronics and micromachining now allow the development of discrete wireless brain implantable micro-devices. Applications of such devices include stimulation or sensing and could enable direct placement near regions of interest within the brain without the need for electrode leads or separate battery compartments that are at increased risk of breakage and infection. Clinical use of leadless brain implants is accompanied by novel risks, such as migration of the implant. Additionally, the encapsulation material of the implants plays an important role in mitigating unwanted tissue reactions. These risks have the potential to cause harm or reduce the service of life of the implant. In the present study, we have assessed post-implantation tissue reaction and migration of borosilicate glass-encapsulated micro-implants within the cortex of the brain. Twenty borosilicate glass-encapsulated devices (2 × 3.5 × 20 mm) were implanted into the parenchyma of 10 sheep for 6 months. Radiographs were taken directly post-surgery and at 3 and 6 months. Subsequently, sheep were euthanized, and GFAP and IBA-1 histological analysis was performed. The migration of the implants was tracked by reference to two stainless steel screws placed in the skull. We found no significant difference in fluoroscopy intensity of GFAP and a small difference in IBA-1 between implanted tissue and control. There was no glial scar formation found at the site of the implant’s track wall. Furthermore, we observed movement of up to 4.6 mm in a subset of implants in the first 3 months of implantation and no movement in any implant during the 3–6-month period of implantation. Subsequent histological analysis revealed no evidence of a migration track or tissue damage. We conclude that the implantation of this discrete micro-implant within the brain does not present additional risk due to migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdel-Hameed Dabbour
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sheryl Tan
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sang Ho Kim
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sarah-Jane Guild
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Heppner
- Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Daniel McCormick
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bryon E Wright
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Dixon Leung
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Robert Gallichan
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David Budgett
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon C Malpas
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Habelt B, Wirth C, Afanasenkau D, Mihaylova L, Winter C, Arvaneh M, Minev IR, Bernhardt N. A Multimodal Neuroprosthetic Interface to Record, Modulate and Classify Electrophysiological Biomarkers Relevant to Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:770274. [PMID: 34805123 PMCID: PMC8595111 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.770274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Most mental disorders, such as addictive diseases or schizophrenia, are characterized by impaired cognitive function and behavior control originating from disturbances within prefrontal neural networks. Their often chronic reoccurring nature and the lack of efficient therapies necessitate the development of new treatment strategies. Brain-computer interfaces, equipped with multiple sensing and stimulation abilities, offer a new toolbox whose suitability for diagnosis and therapy of mental disorders has not yet been explored. This study, therefore, aimed to develop a biocompatible and multimodal neuroprosthesis to measure and modulate prefrontal neurophysiological features of neuropsychiatric symptoms. We used a 3D-printing technology to rapidly prototype customized bioelectronic implants through robot-controlled deposition of soft silicones and a conductive platinum ink. We implanted the device epidurally above the medial prefrontal cortex of rats and obtained auditory event-related brain potentials in treatment-naïve animals, after alcohol administration and following neuromodulation through implant-driven electrical brain stimulation and cortical delivery of the anti-relapse medication naltrexone. Towards smart neuroprosthetic interfaces, we furthermore developed machine learning algorithms to autonomously classify treatment effects within the neural recordings. The neuroprosthesis successfully captured neural activity patterns reflecting intact stimulus processing and alcohol-induced neural depression. Moreover, implant-driven electrical and pharmacological stimulation enabled successful enhancement of neural activity. A machine learning approach based on stepwise linear discriminant analysis was able to deal with sparsity in the data and distinguished treatments with high accuracy. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of multimodal bioelectronic systems to monitor, modulate and identify healthy and affected brain states with potential use in a personalized and optimized therapy of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Habelt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christopher Wirth
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Dzmitry Afanasenkau
- Biotechnology Center (BIOTEC), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lyudmila Mihaylova
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Winter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charite University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mahnaz Arvaneh
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan R. Minev
- Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Nadine Bernhardt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Cho Y, Park S, Lee J, Yu KJ. Emerging Materials and Technologies with Applications in Flexible Neural Implants: A Comprehensive Review of Current Issues with Neural Devices. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2005786. [PMID: 34050691 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202005786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Neuroscience is an essential field of investigation that reveals the identity of human beings, with a comprehensive understanding of advanced mental activities, through the study of neurobiological structures and functions. Fully understanding the neurotransmission system that allows for connectivity among neuronal circuits has paved the way for the development of treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. The field of flexible implants has attracted increasing interest mainly to overcome the mechanical mismatch between rigid electrode materials and soft neural tissues, enabling precise measurements of neural signals from conformal contact. Here, the current issues of flexible neural implants (chronic device failure, non-bioresorbable electronics, low-density electrode arrays, among others are summarized) by presenting material candidates and designs to address each challenge. Furthermore, the latest investigations associated with the aforementioned issues are also introduced, including suggestions for ideal neural implants. In terms of the future direction of these advances, designing flexible devices would provide new opportunities for the study of brain-machine interfaces or brain-computer interfaces as part of locomotion through brain signals, and for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Younguk Cho
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Sanghoon Park
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Juyoung Lee
- School of Electrical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| | - Ki Jun Yu
- School of Electrical Engineering, YU-KIST Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
ZHOU Y, DING F, ZHANG GJ, TANG LN, LI YT. Micro-needle electrode for real-time monitoring of norepinephrine in rat central nervous system. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjac.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
30
|
Narcisse D, Mustafi SM, Carlson M, Kim S, Batabyal S, Wright W, Mohanty SK. Monitoring Visual Cortical Activities During Progressive Retinal Degeneration Using Functional Bioluminescence Imaging. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:750684. [PMID: 34690687 PMCID: PMC8530108 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.750684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of inherited retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa are characterized by degeneration of photoreceptors, which hinders the generation of signal to be transmitted to the visual cortex. By monitoring Ca2+-bioluminescence neural activity, we quantified changes in visual cortical activities in response to visual stimuli in RD10 mice during progression of retinal degeneration, which correlated with progressive deteriorations of electro-retinography signal from the eyes. The number of active neurons in the visual cortex, the intensity of Ca2+-bioluminescence response, and neural activation parameter showed progressive deterioration during aging. Further, we correlated the thinning of retina as measured by Optical Coherence Tomography with the decrease in visual cortical activities as retinal degeneration progressed. The present study establishes Ca2+-bioluminescence monitoring as a longitudinal imaging modality to characterize activities in visual cortex of retinal degenerative disease models and therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sanghoon Kim
- Nanoscope Technologies LLC, Bedford, TX, United States
| | | | - Weldon Wright
- Nanoscope Technologies LLC, Bedford, TX, United States
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kumosa LS, Schouenborg J. Profound alterations in brain tissue linked to hypoxic episode after device implantation. Biomaterials 2021; 278:121143. [PMID: 34653937 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121143] [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: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
To enable authentic interfacing with neuronal structures in the brain, preventing alterations of tissue during implantation of devices is critical. By transiently implanting oxygen microsensors into rat cortex cerebri for 2 h, substantial and long lasting (>1 h) hypoxia is routinely generated in surrounding tissues; this hypoxia is linked to implantation generated compressive forces. Preferential loss of larger neurons and reduced metabolic components in surviving neurons indicates decreased viability one week after such hypoxic, compressive implantations. By devising an implantation method that relaxes compressive forces; magnitude and duration of hypoxia generated following such an implantation are ameliorated and neurons appear similar to naïve tissues. In line with these observations, astrocyte proliferation was significantly more pronounced for more hypoxic, compressive implantations. Surprisingly, astrocyte processes were frequently found to traverse cellular boundaries into nearby neuronal nuclei, indicating injury induction of a previously not described astrocyte-neuron interaction. Found more frequently in less hypoxic, force-relaxed insertions and thus correlating to a more beneficial outcome, this finding may suggest a novel protective mechanism. In conclusion, substantial and long lasting insertion induced hypoxia around brain implants, a previously overlooked factor, is linked to significant adverse alterations in nervous tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas S Kumosa
- Neuronano Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Scheelevägen 2, Medicon Village 404A2, 223 81, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Jens Schouenborg
- Neuronano Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Scheelevägen 2, Medicon Village 404A2, 223 81, Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund University, Professorsgatan 1, 223 63, Lund, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Srikantharajah K, Medinaceli Quintela R, Doerenkamp K, Kampa BM, Musall S, Rothermel M, Offenhäusser A. Minimally-invasive insertion strategy and in vivo evaluation of multi-shank flexible intracortical probes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:18920. [PMID: 34556704 PMCID: PMC8460634 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97940-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronically implanted neural probes are powerful tools to decode brain activity however, recording population and spiking activity over long periods remains a major challenge. Here, we designed and fabricated flexible intracortical Michigan-style arrays with a shank cross-section per electrode of 250 μm[Formula: see text] utilizing the polymer paryleneC with the goal to improve the immune acceptance. As flexible neural probes are unable to penetrate the brain due to the low buckling force threshold, a tissue-friendly insertion system was developed by reducing the effective shank length. The insertion strategy enabled the implantation of the four, bare, flexible shanks up to 2 mm into the mouse brain without increasing the implantation footprint and therefore, minimizing the acute trauma. In acute recordings from the mouse somatosensory cortex and the olfactory bulb, we demonstrated that the flexible probes were able to simultaneously detect local field potentials as well as single and multi-unit activity. Additionally, the flexible arrays outperformed stiff probes with respect to yield of single unit activity. Following the successful in vivo validation, we further improved the microfabrication towards a double-metal-layer process, and were able to double the number of electrodes per shank by keeping the shank width resulting in a cross-section per electrode of 118 μm[Formula: see text].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kagithiri Srikantharajah
- Bioelectronics, Institute of Biological Information Processing-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Renata Medinaceli Quintela
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Doerenkamp
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Björn M Kampa
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- JARA BRAIN, Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Simon Musall
- Bioelectronics, Institute of Biological Information Processing-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Markus Rothermel
- Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Offenhäusser
- Bioelectronics, Institute of Biological Information Processing-3, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Intracortical Microelectrode Array Unit Yield under Chronic Conditions: A Comparative Evaluation. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12080972. [PMID: 34442594 PMCID: PMC8400387 DOI: 10.3390/mi12080972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
While microelectrode arrays (MEAs) offer the promise of elucidating functional neural circuitry and serve as the basis for a cortical neuroprosthesis, the challenge of designing and demonstrating chronically reliable technology remains. Numerous studies report “chronic” data but the actual time spans and performance measures corresponding to the experimental work vary. In this study, we reviewed the experimental durations that constitute chronic studies across a range of MEA types and animal species to gain an understanding of the widespread variability in reported study duration. For rodents, which are the most commonly used animal model in chronic studies, we examined active electrode yield (AEY) for different array types as a means to contextualize the study duration variance, as well as investigate and interpret the performance of custom devices in comparison to conventional MEAs. We observed wide-spread variance within species for the chronic implantation period and an AEY that decayed linearly in rodent models that implanted commercially-available devices. These observations provide a benchmark for comparing the performance of new technologies and highlight the need for consistency in chronic MEA studies. Additionally, to fully derive performance under chronic conditions, the duration of abiotic failure modes, biological processes induced by indwelling probes, and intended application of the device are key determinants.
Collapse
|
34
|
Szymanski LJ, Kellis S, Liu CY, Jones KT, Andersen RA, Commins D, Lee B, McCreery DB, Miller CA. Neuropathological effects of chronically implanted, intracortical microelectrodes in a tetraplegic patient. J Neural Eng 2021; 18. [PMID: 34314384 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ac127e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Intracortical microelectrode arrays (MEA) can be used as part of a brain-machine interface system to provide sensory feedback control of an artificial limb to assist persons with tetraplegia. Variability in functionality of electrodes has been reported but few studies in humans have examined the impact of chronic brain tissue responses revealed postmortem on electrode performancein vivo. Approach.In a tetraplegic man, recording MEAs were implanted into the anterior intraparietal area and Brodmann's area 5 (BA5) of the posterior parietal cortex and a recording and stimulation array was implanted in BA1 of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). The participant expired from unrelated causes seven months after MEA implantation. The underlying tissue of two of the three devices was processed for histology and electrophysiological recordings were assessed.Main results.Recordings of neuronal activity were obtained from all three MEAs despite meningeal encapsulation. However, the S1 array had a greater encapsulation, yielded lower signal quality than the other arrays and failed to elicit somatosensory percepts with electrical stimulation. Histological examination of tissues underlying S1 and BA5 implant sites revealed localized leptomeningeal proliferation and fibrosis, lymphocytic infiltrates, astrogliosis, and foreign body reaction around the electrodes. The BA5 recording site showed focal cerebral microhemorrhages and leptomeningeal vascular ectasia. The S1 site showed focal tissue damage including vascular recanalization, neuronal loss, and extensive subcortical white matter necrosis. The tissue response at the S1 site included hemorrhagic-induced injury suggesting a likely mechanism for reduced function of the S1 implant.Significance.Our findings are similar to those from animal studies with chronic intracortical implants and suggest that vascular disruption and microhemorrhage during device implantation are important contributors to overall array and individual electrode performance and should be a topic for future device development to mitigate tissue responses. Neurosurgical considerations are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda J Szymanski
- Department of Pathology, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Spencer Kellis
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States of America.,Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Brain-Machine Interface Center, Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States of America.,Department of Neurosurgery, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.,USC Neurorestoration Center, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Charles Y Liu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States of America.,Department of Neurosurgery, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.,USC Neurorestoration Center, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Kymry T Jones
- Department of Pathology, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Richard A Andersen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States of America.,Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Brain-Machine Interface Center, Chen Institute for Neuroscience, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States of America
| | - Deborah Commins
- Department of Pathology, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Brian Lee
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States of America.,Department of Neurosurgery, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.,USC Neurorestoration Center, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Douglas B McCreery
- Huntington Medical Research Institute, Pasadena, CA, United States of America
| | - Carol A Miller
- Department of Pathology, Keck USC School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Sunwoo SH, Ha KH, Lee S, Lu N, Kim DH. Wearable and Implantable Soft Bioelectronics: Device Designs and Material Strategies. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2021; 12:359-391. [PMID: 34097846 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-101420-024336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
High-performance wearable and implantable devices capable of recording physiological signals and delivering appropriate therapeutics in real time are playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing personalized healthcare. However, the mechanical and biochemical mismatches between rigid, inorganic devices and soft, organic human tissues cause significant trouble, including skin irritation, tissue damage, compromised signal-to-noise ratios, and limited service time. As a result, profuse research efforts have been devoted to overcoming these issues by using flexible and stretchable device designs and soft materials. Here, we summarize recent representative research and technological advances for soft bioelectronics, including conformable and stretchable device designs, various types of soft electronic materials, and surface coating and treatment methods. We also highlight applications of these strategies to emerging soft wearable and implantable devices. We conclude with some current limitations and offer future prospects of this booming field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hyuk Sunwoo
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; .,School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Ho Ha
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA;
| | - Sangkyu Lee
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea;
| | - Nanshu Lu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA; .,Center for Mechanics of Solids, Structures and Materials, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Texas Material Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - Dae-Hyeong Kim
- Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; .,School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
McGlynn E, Nabaei V, Ren E, Galeote‐Checa G, Das R, Curia G, Heidari H. The Future of Neuroscience: Flexible and Wireless Implantable Neural Electronics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2002693. [PMID: 34026431 PMCID: PMC8132070 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Neurological diseases are a prevalent cause of global mortality and are of growing concern when considering an ageing global population. Traditional treatments are accompanied by serious side effects including repeated treatment sessions, invasive surgeries, or infections. For example, in the case of deep brain stimulation, large, stiff, and battery powered neural probes recruit thousands of neurons with each pulse, and can invoke a vigorous immune response. This paper presents challenges in engineering and neuroscience in developing miniaturized and biointegrated alternatives, in the form of microelectrode probes. Progress in design and topology of neural implants has shifted the goal post toward highly specific recording and stimulation, targeting small groups of neurons and reducing the foreign body response with biomimetic design principles. Implantable device design recommendations, fabrication techniques, and clinical evaluation of the impact flexible, integrated probes will have on the treatment of neurological disorders are provided in this report. The choice of biocompatible material dictates fabrication techniques as novel methods reduce the complexity of manufacture. Wireless power, the final hurdle to truly implantable neural interfaces, is discussed. These aspects are the driving force behind continued research: significant breakthroughs in any one of these areas will revolutionize the treatment of neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eve McGlynn
- Microelectronics LabJames Watt School of EngineeringUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUnited Kingdom
| | - Vahid Nabaei
- Microelectronics LabJames Watt School of EngineeringUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUnited Kingdom
| | - Elisa Ren
- Laboratory of Experimental Electroencephalography and NeurophysiologyDepartment of BiomedicalMetabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModena41125Italy
| | - Gabriel Galeote‐Checa
- Microelectronics LabJames Watt School of EngineeringUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUnited Kingdom
| | - Rupam Das
- Microelectronics LabJames Watt School of EngineeringUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUnited Kingdom
| | - Giulia Curia
- Laboratory of Experimental Electroencephalography and NeurophysiologyDepartment of BiomedicalMetabolic and Neural SciencesUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModena41125Italy
| | - Hadi Heidari
- Microelectronics LabJames Watt School of EngineeringUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowG12 8QQUnited Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Bouadi O, Tay TL. More Than Cell Markers: Understanding Heterogeneous Glial Responses to Implantable Neural Devices. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:658992. [PMID: 33912015 PMCID: PMC8071943 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.658992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ouzéna Bouadi
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Tuan Leng Tay
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,BrainLinks-BrainTools Centre, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Freiburg Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Zohar O, Khatib M, Omar R, Vishinkin R, Broza YY, Haick H. Biointerfaced sensors for biodiagnostics. VIEW 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/viw.20200172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Orr Zohar
- Department of Chemical Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute Technion–Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Muhammad Khatib
- Department of Chemical Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute Technion–Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Rawan Omar
- Department of Chemical Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute Technion–Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Rotem Vishinkin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute Technion–Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Yoav Y. Broza
- Department of Chemical Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute Technion–Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
| | - Hossam Haick
- Department of Chemical Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute Technion–Israel Institute of Technology Haifa Israel
- School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology Xidian University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Eiber CD, Delbeke J, Cardoso J, de Neeling M, John SE, Lee CW, Skefos J, Sun A, Prodanov D, McKinney Z. Preliminary Minimum Reporting Requirements for In-Vivo Neural Interface Research: I. Implantable Neural Interfaces. IEEE OPEN JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 2:74-83. [PMID: 33997788 PMCID: PMC8118094 DOI: 10.1109/ojemb.2021.3060919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The pace of research and development in neuroscience, neurotechnology, and neurorehabilitation is rapidly accelerating, with the number of publications doubling every 4.2 years. Maintaining this progress requires technological standards and scientific reporting guidelines to provide frameworks for communication and interoperability. The present lack of such neurotechnology standards limits the transparency, repro-ducibility, and meta-analysis of this growing body of literature, posing an ongoing barrier to research, clinical, and commercial objectives. Continued neurotechnological innovation requires the development of some minimal standards to promote integration between this broad spectrum of technologies and therapies. To preserve design freedom and accelerate the translation of research into safe and effective technologies with maximal user benefit, such standards must be collaboratively co-developed by the full range of neuroscience and neurotechnology stakeholders. This paper summarizes the preliminary recommendations of IEEE P2794 Standards Working Group, developing a Reporting Standard for in-vivo Neural Interface Research (RSNIR).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jorge Cardoso
- Instituto de Medicina MolecularFaculdade de Medicina, Universidade de LisboaLisbon1649-028Portugal
| | | | - Sam E. John
- University of MelbourneMelbourne3010Australia
| | | | | | - Argus Sun
- University of CaliforniaLos AngelesCA90095USA
| | | | - Zach McKinney
- BioRobotics Institute and Center for Excellence in Robotics and AIScuola Superiore Sant'Anna56127PisaItaly
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Garcia-Cortadella R, Schwesig G, Jeschke C, Illa X, Gray AL, Savage S, Stamatidou E, Schiessl I, Masvidal-Codina E, Kostarelos K, Guimerà-Brunet A, Sirota A, Garrido JA. Graphene active sensor arrays for long-term and wireless mapping of wide frequency band epicortical brain activity. Nat Commun 2021; 12:211. [PMID: 33431878 PMCID: PMC7801381 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20546-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Graphene active sensors have demonstrated promising capabilities for the detection of electrophysiological signals in the brain. Their functional properties, together with their flexibility as well as their expected stability and biocompatibility have raised them as a promising building block for large-scale sensing neural interfaces. However, in order to provide reliable tools for neuroscience and biomedical engineering applications, the maturity of this technology must be thoroughly studied. Here, we evaluate the performance of 64-channel graphene sensor arrays in terms of homogeneity, sensitivity and stability using a wireless, quasi-commercial headstage and demonstrate the biocompatibility of epicortical graphene chronic implants. Furthermore, to illustrate the potential of the technology to detect cortical signals from infra-slow to high-gamma frequency bands, we perform proof-of-concept long-term wireless recording in a freely behaving rodent. Our work demonstrates the maturity of the graphene-based technology, which represents a promising candidate for chronic, wide frequency band neural sensing interfaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Garcia-Cortadella
- Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Schwesig
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Munich, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - C Jeschke
- Multi Channel Systems (MCS) GmbH, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - X Illa
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anna L Gray
- Nanomedicine Lab, National Graphene Institute and Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - S Savage
- Nanomedicine Lab, National Graphene Institute and Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - E Stamatidou
- Nanomedicine Lab, National Graphene Institute and Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - I Schiessl
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - E Masvidal-Codina
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - K Kostarelos
- Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
- Nanomedicine Lab, National Graphene Institute and Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - A Guimerà-Brunet
- Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - A Sirota
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Munich, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
| | - J A Garrido
- Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), CSIC and BIST, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Thyagarajan K, Lujan RA, Wang Q, Lu J, Kor S, Kakimoto B, Chang N, Bert JA. Micro-coil probes for magnetic intracortical neural stimulation: Trade-offs in materials and design. APL MATERIALS 2021; 9:011102. [PMID: 33520428 PMCID: PMC7808331 DOI: 10.1063/5.0023486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Neural probes for intracortical neuromodulation in the brain have advanced with the developments in micro- and nanofabrication technologies. Most of these technologies for the intracortical stimulation have relied on the direct electrical stimulation via electrodes or arrays of electrodes. Generating electric fields using time-varying magnetic fields is a more recent neuromodulation technique that has proven to be more specifically effective for the intracortical stimulation. Additionally, current-actuated coils require no conductive contact with tissues and enable precise tailoring of magnetic fields, which are unaffected by the non-magnetic nature of the biological tissue and encapsulation layers. The material and design parameter space for such micro-coil fabrication can be optimized and tailored to deliver the ideal performance depending on the parameters needed for operation. In this work, we review the key requirements for implantable microcoils including the probe structure and material properties and discuss their characteristics and related challenges for the applications in intracortical neuromodulation.
Collapse
|
42
|
Schiavone G, Kang X, Fallegger F, Gandar J, Courtine G, Lacour SP. Guidelines to Study and Develop Soft Electrode Systems for Neural Stimulation. Neuron 2020; 108:238-258. [PMID: 33120021 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of nervous structures is a widely used experimental and clinical method to probe neural circuits, perform diagnostics, or treat neurological disorders. The recent introduction of soft materials to design electrodes that conform to and mimic neural tissue led to neural interfaces with improved functionality and biointegration. The shift from stiff to soft electrode materials requires adaptation of the models and characterization methods to understand and predict electrode performance. This guideline aims at providing (1) an overview of the most common techniques to test soft electrodes in vitro and in vivo; (2) a step-by-step design of a complete study protocol, from the lab bench to in vivo experiments; (3) a case study illustrating the characterization of soft spinal electrodes in rodents; and (4) examples of how interpreting characterization data can inform experimental decisions. Comprehensive characterization is paramount to advancing soft neurotechnology that meets the requisites for long-term functionality in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Schiavone
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Neuroprosthetic Technology, Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces, Institute of Microengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Centre for Neuroprosthetics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Xiaoyang Kang
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Neuroprosthetic Technology, Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces, Institute of Microengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Centre for Neuroprosthetics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florian Fallegger
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Neuroprosthetic Technology, Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces, Institute of Microengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Centre for Neuroprosthetics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jérôme Gandar
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Grégoire Courtine
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore), Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie P Lacour
- Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Neuroprosthetic Technology, Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces, Institute of Microengineering, Institute of Bioengineering, Centre for Neuroprosthetics, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Boehler C, Carli S, Fadiga L, Stieglitz T, Asplund M. Tutorial: guidelines for standardized performance tests for electrodes intended for neural interfaces and bioelectronics. Nat Protoc 2020; 15:3557-3578. [DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-0389-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
|
44
|
Mohammed M, Thelin J, Gällentoft L, Thorbergsson PT, Kumosa LS, Schouenborg J, Pettersson LME. Ice coating -A new method of brain device insertion to mitigate acute injuries. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 343:108842. [PMID: 32628965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduction of insertion injury is likely important to approach physiological conditions in the vicinity of implanted devices intended to interface with the surrounding brain. NEW METHODS We have developed a novel, low-friction coating around frozen, gelatin embedded needles. By introducing a layer of thawing ice onto the gelatin, decreasing surface friction, we mitigate damage caused by the implantation. RESULTS AND COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS The acute effects of a transient stab on neuronal density and glial reactions were assessed 1 and 7 days post stab in rat cortex and striatum both within and outside the insertion track using immunohistochemical staining. The addition of a coat of melting ice to the frozen gelatin embedded needles reduced the insertion force with around 50 %, substantially reduced the loss neurons (i.e. reduced neuronal void), and yielded near normal levels of astrocytes within the insertion track 1 day after insertion, as compared to gelatin coated probes of the same temperature without ice coating. There were negligible effects on glial reactions and neuronal density immediately outside the insertion track of both ice coated and cold gelatin embedded needles. This new method of implantation presents a considerable improvement compared to existing modes of device insertion. CONCLUSIONS Acute brain injuries following insertion of e.g. ultra-flexible electrodes, can be reduced by providing an outer coat of ultra-slippery thawing ice. No adverse effect of lowered implant temperature was found, opening the possibility of locking fragile electrode construct configurations in frozen gelatin, prior to implantation into the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohsin Mohammed
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Jonas Thelin
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lina Gällentoft
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Palmi Thor Thorbergsson
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lucas S Kumosa
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jens Schouenborg
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund University, Professorsgatan 1, SE-223 63, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lina M E Pettersson
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund University, Professorsgatan 1, SE-223 63, Lund, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Kollo M, Racz R, Hanna ME, Obaid A, Angle MR, Wray W, Kong Y, Müller J, Hierlemann A, Melosh NA, Schaefer AT. CHIME: CMOS-Hosted in vivo Microelectrodes for Massively Scalable Neuronal Recordings. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:834. [PMID: 32848584 PMCID: PMC7432274 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian brains consist of 10s of millions to 100s of billions of neurons operating at millisecond time scales, of which current recording techniques only capture a tiny fraction. Recording techniques capable of sampling neural activity at high spatiotemporal resolution have been difficult to scale. The most intensively studied mammalian neuronal networks, such as the neocortex, show a layered architecture, where the optimal recording technology samples densely over large areas. However, the need for application-specific designs as well as the mismatch between the three-dimensional architecture of the brain and largely two-dimensional microfabrication techniques profoundly limits both neurophysiological research and neural prosthetics. Here, we discuss a novel strategy for scalable neuronal recording by combining bundles of glass-ensheathed microwires with large-scale amplifier arrays derived from high-density CMOS in vitro MEA systems or high-speed infrared cameras. High signal-to-noise ratio (<25 μV RMS noise floor, SNR up to 25) is achieved due to the high conductivity of core metals in glass-ensheathed microwires allowing for ultrathin metal cores (down to <1 μm) and negligible stray capacitance. Multi-step electrochemical modification of the tip enables ultra-low access impedance with minimal geometric area, which is largely independent of the core diameter. We show that the microwire size can be reduced to virtually eliminate damage to the blood-brain-barrier upon insertion and we demonstrate that microwire arrays can stably record single-unit activity. Combining microwire bundles and CMOS arrays allows for a highly scalable neuronal recording approach, linking the progress in electrical neuronal recordings to the rapid progress in silicon microfabrication. The modular design of the system allows for custom arrangement of recording sites. Our approach of employing bundles of minimally invasive, highly insulated and functionalized microwires to extend a two-dimensional CMOS architecture into the 3rd dimension can be translated to other CMOS arrays, such as electrical stimulation devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mihaly Kollo
- Neurophysiology of Behaviour Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Romeo Racz
- Neurophysiology of Behaviour Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mina-Elraheb Hanna
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Paradromics, Inc., Austin, TX, United States
| | - Abdulmalik Obaid
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | - William Wray
- Neurophysiology of Behaviour Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yifan Kong
- Paradromics, Inc., Austin, TX, United States
| | - Jan Müller
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland
- MaxWell Biosystems AG, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Hierlemann
- ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas A. Melosh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Andreas T. Schaefer
- Neurophysiology of Behaviour Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Mahajan S, Hermann JK, Bedell HW, Sharkins JA, Chen L, Chen K, Meade SM, Smith CS, Rayyan J, Feng H, Kim Y, Schiefer MA, Taylor DM, Capadona JR, Ereifej ES. Toward Standardization of Electrophysiology and Computational Tissue Strain in Rodent Intracortical Microelectrode Models. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:416. [PMID: 32457888 PMCID: PMC7225268 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress has been made in the field of neural interfacing using both mouse and rat models, yet standardization of these models' interchangeability has yet to be established. The mouse model allows for transgenic, optogenetic, and advanced imaging modalities which can be used to examine the biological impact and failure mechanisms associated with the neural implant itself. The ability to directly compare electrophysiological data between mouse and rat models is crucial for the development and assessment of neural interfaces. The most obvious difference in the two rodent models is size, which raises concern for the role of device-induced tissue strain. Strain exerted on brain tissue by implanted microelectrode arrays is hypothesized to affect long-term recording performance. Therefore, understanding any potential differences in tissue strain caused by differences in the implant to tissue size ratio is crucial for validating the interchangeability of rat and mouse models. Hence, this study is aimed at investigating the electrophysiological variances and predictive device-induced tissue strain. Rat and mouse electrophysiological recordings were collected from implanted animals for eight weeks. A finite element model was utilized to assess the tissue strain from implanted intracortical microelectrodes, taking into account the differences in the depth within the cortex, implantation depth, and electrode geometry between the two models. The rat model demonstrated a larger percentage of channels recording single unit activity and number of units recorded per channel at acute but not chronic time points, relative to the mouse model Additionally, the finite element models also revealed no predictive differences in tissue strain between the two rodent models. Collectively our results show that these two models are comparable after taking into consideration some recommendations to maintain uniform conditions for future studies where direct comparisons of electrophysiological and tissue strain data between the two animal models will be required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shreya Mahajan
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - John K. Hermann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Hillary W. Bedell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jonah A. Sharkins
- Veteran Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Keying Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Seth M. Meade
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Cara S. Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jacob Rayyan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - He Feng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Youjoung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Matthew A. Schiefer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Dawn M. Taylor
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jeffrey R. Capadona
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Evon S. Ereifej
- Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Veteran Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Das R, Moradi F, Heidari H. Biointegrated and Wirelessly Powered Implantable Brain Devices: A Review. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS 2020; 14:343-358. [PMID: 31944987 DOI: 10.1109/tbcas.2020.2966920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
|
48
|
Neuroadhesive protein coating improves the chronic performance of neuroelectronics in mouse brain. Biosens Bioelectron 2020; 155:112096. [PMID: 32090868 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2020.112096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Intracortical microelectrodes are being developed to both record and stimulate neurons to understand brain circuitry or restore lost functions. However, the success of these probes is hampered partly due to the inflammatory host tissue responses to implants. To minimize the foreign body reactions, L1, a brain derived neuronal specific cell adhesion molecule, has been covalently bound to the neural electrode array surface. Here we evaluated the chronic recording performance of L1-coated silicon based laminar neural electrode arrays implanted into V1m cortex of mice. The L1 coating enhanced the overall visually evoked single-unit (SU) yield and SU amplitude, as well as signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) in the mouse brain compared to the uncoated arrays across the 0-1500 μm depth. The improvement in recording is most dramatic in the hippocampus region, where the control group showed severe recording yield decrease after one week, while the L1 implants maintained a high SU yield throughout the 16 weeks. Immunohistological analysis revealed significant increases of axonal and neuronal density along with significantly lowered microglia activation around the L1 probe after 16 weeks. These results collectively confirm the effectiveness of L1 based biomimetic coating on minimizing inflammatory tissue response and improving neural recording quality and longevity. Improving chronic recording will benefit the brain-computer interface technologies and neuroscience studies involving chronic tracking of neural activities.
Collapse
|
49
|
Holmkvist AD, Agorelius J, Forni M, Nilsson UJ, Linsmeier CE, Schouenborg J. Local delivery of minocycline-loaded PLGA nanoparticles from gelatin-coated neural implants attenuates acute brain tissue responses in mice. J Nanobiotechnology 2020; 18:27. [PMID: 32024534 PMCID: PMC7003334 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-020-0585-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neural interfaces often elicit inflammatory responses and neuronal loss in the surrounding tissue which adversely affect the function and longevity of the implanted device. Minocycline, an anti-inflammatory pharmaceutics with neuroprotective properties, may be used for reducing the acute brain tissue responses after implantation. However, conventional administration routes require high doses which can cause adverse systemic side effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a new drug-delivery-system for local and sustained administration of minocycline in the brain. METHODS Stainless steel needles insulated with Parylene-C were dip-coated with non-crosslinked gelatin and minocycline-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (MC-NPs) were incorporated into the gelatin-coatings by an absorption method and subsequently trapped by drying the gelatin. Parylene-C insulated needles coated only with gelatin were used as controls. The expression of markers for activated microglia (CD68), all microglia (CX3CR1-GFP), reactive astrocytes (GFAP), neurons (NeuN) and all cell nuclei (DAPI) surrounding the implantation sites were quantified at 3 and 7 days after implantation in mice. RESULTS MC-NPs were successfully incorporated into gelatin-coatings of neural implants by an absorption method suitable for thermosensitive drug-loads. Immunohistochemical analysis of the in vivo brain tissue responses, showed that MC-NPs significantly attenuate the activation of microglial cells without effecting the overall population of microglial cells around the implantation sites. A delayed but significant reduction of the astrocytic response was also found in comparison to control implants. No effect on neurons or total cell count was found which may suggest that the MC-NPs are non-toxic to the central nervous system. CONCLUSIONS A novel drug-nanoparticle-delivery-system was developed for neural interfaces and thermosensitive drug-loads. The local delivery of MC-NPs was shown to attenuate the acute brain tissue responses nearby an implant and therefore may be useful for improving biocompatibility of implanted neuro-electronic interfaces. The developed drug-delivery-system may potentially also be used for other pharmaceutics to provide highly localized and therefore more specific effects as compared to systemic administration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Dontsios Holmkvist
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Medicon Village, Building 404 A2, Scheelevägen 2, 223 81, Lund, Sweden. .,Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, 221 00, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Johan Agorelius
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Medicon Village, Building 404 A2, Scheelevägen 2, 223 81, Lund, Sweden.,NanoLund, Lund University, Professorsgatan 1, 223 63, Lund, Sweden
| | - Matilde Forni
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Medicon Village, Building 404 A2, Scheelevägen 2, 223 81, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf J Nilsson
- Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Box 124, 221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Eriksson Linsmeier
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Medicon Village, Building 404 A2, Scheelevägen 2, 223 81, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jens Schouenborg
- Neuronano Research Center, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Medicon Village, Building 404 A2, Scheelevägen 2, 223 81, Lund, Sweden. .,NanoLund, Lund University, Professorsgatan 1, 223 63, Lund, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Al-Jumaili A, Kumar A, Bazaka K, Jacob MV. Electrically Insulating Plasma Polymer/ZnO Composite Films. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2019; 12:E3099. [PMID: 31547551 PMCID: PMC6804142 DOI: 10.3390/ma12193099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In this report, the electrical properties of plasma polymer films functionalized with ZnO nanoparticles were investigated with respect to their potential applications in biomaterials and microelectronics fields. The nanocomposite films were produced using a single-step method that combines simultaneous plasma polymerization of renewable geranium essential oil with thermal decomposition of zinc acetylacetonate Zn(acac)2. The input power used for the deposition of composites were 10 W and 50 W, and the resulting composite structures were abbreviated as Zn/Ge 10 W and Zn/Ge 50 W, respectively. The electrical properties of pristine polymers and Zn/polymer composite films were studied in metal-insulator-metal structures. At a quantity of ZnO of around ~1%, it was found that ZnO had a small influence on the capacitance and dielectric constants of thus-fabricated films. The dielectric constant of films with smaller-sized nanoparticles exhibited the highest value, whereas, with the increase in ZnO particle size, the dielectric constant decreases. The conductivity of the composites was calculated to be in the in the range of 10-14-10-15 Ω-1 m-1, significantly greater than that for the pristine polymer, the latter estimated to be in the range of 10-16-10-17 Ω-1 m-1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Al-Jumaili
- Electronics Materials Lab, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
- Physics Department, College of Science, Anbar University, Ramadi 31001, Iraq.
| | - Avishek Kumar
- Electronics Materials Lab, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
| | - Kateryna Bazaka
- Electronics Materials Lab, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
- School of Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia.
- Research School of Electrical, Energy and Materials Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
| | - Mohan V Jacob
- Electronics Materials Lab, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|