Materials and Technologies for Soft Neural Interfaces

Datum

11.05.2015

Zeit

10:00 - 11:00

Sprecher

Dr. Ivan Minev, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)

Sprache

en

Hauptthema

Biologie

Andere Themen

Biologie, Medizin

Host

Jochen Guck

Beschreibung

Neuro-electronic implants improve the lives of countless individuals through diagnostic or prosthetic functions. Beyond the success of the cochlear implant or the deep brain pacemaker, we can envisage therapeutic applications in virtually any body system controlled by neurons. Making the most out of this opportunity will depend on the seamless integration of functional implants with the body. Challenges stem from the kinetic nature and mechanical softness of neural tissues, as well as from our limited ability to control neural circuits with arbitrary selectivity. Overcoming these challenges will increase the longevity and usefulness of neural interfaces. In this talk, I will summarize our efforts to integrate low modulus engineering materials in implantable neuroelectronic devices that can survive in mechanically challenging environments and integrate with host tissues. We created an artificial membrane that mimics the mechanical properties of dura mater - the protective skin around the brain and spinal cord - and integrated elastic electrodes, interconnects and microfluidics to enable multi-modal neuromodulation. Chronically implanted on the surface of the spinal cord (intrathecally), the electronic dura mater was used to restore walking in rats with paralyzing spinal cord injury by delivering precise electro-chemical stimulation to the dormant spinal cord (1). Still in the context of spinal cord injury, we adapted the soft technology to create the sensory arm of a closed-loop bladder control neuroprosthetic system. By using elastomeric microchannels as axonal amplifiers integrated with delicate sensory spinal roots, we have been able to monitor bladder fullness in rats (2). Finally, I will discuss strategies to modulate the cell response at the implant-tissue interface using micro-topographically structured and soft surfaces (3). Soft neural interfaces will enable fundamental new studies of the mechanisms of brain and nerve functions, and start new repair strategies to restore lost functions. Publications: 1. I. R. Minev et al., Electronic dura mater for long-term multimodal neural interfaces. Science 347, 159 (2015). 2. D. J. Chew et al., A Microchannel Neuroprosthesis for Bladder Control After Spinal Cord Injury in Rat. Science Translational Medicine 5, 210ra155 (2013). 3. I. R. Minev et al., Interaction of glia with a compliant, microstructured silicone surface. Acta Biomaterialia 9, 6936 (2013).

Links

• to announcement of the organizer

Letztmalig verändert: 11.05.2015, 10:01:03