Capturing the biological impact of intra-cortical neuroprosthetic devices on surrounding brain tissue
Abstract
Brain-implantable microelectrode arrays have the potential to provide reliable, direct interfaces with small population of neurons in the brain. Such devices have been shown capable of controlled electrical stimulation of neurons towards replacement of lost senses, and capable of recording neural activity towards replacement of lost motor function. However, recent studies have indicated that poor bio-integration of the implanted devices limits microelectrode array functionality over time. A complex, highly variable and poorly understood tissue response has been previously collected and described. This understanding has been developed primarily through histological analysis of tissue formerly surrounding implanted devices, which were explanted during tissue processing. The overarching goal of the presented work was to improve our understanding of the tissue interface around brain-implanted microdevices. Our research objectives were 1)to develop a histological method which captured the intact device/tissue interface for high-resolution microscopy, and 2)to implement this method to collect a more morphologically preserved view of brain-implant biocompatibility. Furthermore, we hypothesized that an in vivo microscopy method to analyze the developing tissue response around brain-implanted microdevices was possible. In this document we report on the achievement of both of our stated goals and confirm that an in vivo, microscopy based imaging method is capable of imaging the developing tissue response in great detail. We are confident that this work will inform the detailed characterization of the tissue impact of current brain-implanted microdevices, as well as inform the development of more biologically neutral devices. Our hope is that this work and the related work of others will culminate in clinical treatments for currently untreatable nervous system impairments and disorders.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Otto, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Neurosciences|Biomedical engineering
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