Smart MEMS recording systems for visual cortical studies

用于视觉皮层研究的智能 MEMS 记录系统

• 批准号: 6874829
• 负责人: RICHARD A ANDERSEN
• 金额: $ 74.26万
• 依托单位: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2005
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2005-02-15 至 2010-01-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6874829
• 关键词: Macaca mulatta; biomedical equipment development; brain electrical activity; electronic recording system; electrophysiology; implant; microelectrodes; miniature biomedical equipment; single cell analysis; visual cortex

DESCRIPTION (PROVIDED BY APPLICANT): The purpose of this proposal is to design and build a smart MEMs device for recording multicellular activity in the visual nervous system. This miniaturized and implantable microelectrode array system will automatically adjust the depths of the electrodes to optimize recording performance. The rationale for this system is to improve long term, chronic recording from populations of neurons in the visual system for scientific and neuroprosthetic applications. Current systems with fixed electrode geometries cannot be adjusted to optimize recordings in terms of yield or cell type. Moreover, these systems cannot "follow" cells over time to overcome loss of signal due to movement of the tissue with respect to the electrodes. Manual systems have the drawback of becoming unmanageable for large arrays in scientific studies, and unacceptable for permanent implants for prosthetics applications. The proposed system overcomes all of these drawbacks by automating the position of each electrode based on recorded signal quality. The first aim of this study is to develop algorithms to automatically search for, and hold, recorded signals from neurons. Preliminary data show that this is possible for cortical neurons recorded from awake, behaving monkeys and anesthetized rats. The second aim is to develop MEMS actuators that have low heat dissipation, are lockable with minimal energy application, and can provide large displacements. Preliminary studies indicate that electrolysis actuators developed by one of the co-investigators are ideal for this application. Aim three will integrate all of the components developed in the earlier aims into a single system. This device will consist of a MEMS-based multielectrode array with independently moveable electrodes, and on-board control, monitoring and communications circuits. Although this is a proposal to develop technology, an underlying hypothesis is that this system will improve multiunit, chronic recordings substantially over what can be achieved with fixed geometry systems. This hypothesis will be tested initially with cortical recordings in anesthetized rats followed by recordings from visual cortical areas in behaving monkeys.

描述（由申请人提供）：该建议的目的是设计和构建一个智能MEMS设备，用于在视觉神经系统中记录多细胞活动。这个微型和可植入的微电极阵列系统将自动调整电极的深度以优化记录性能。该系统的理由是改善长期的，从视觉系统中的神经元种群进行科学和神经假体应用中的慢性记录。当前具有固定电极几何形状的系统无法调整以根据产量或单元格的方式优化记录。此外，这些系统无法随着时间的流逝而“遵循”细胞，以克服由于组织相对于电极的运动而导致的信号丧失。手动系统的缺点是，科学研究中的大型阵列变得难以管理，并且对于假体应用程序的永久性植入物无法接受。提出的系统通过根据记录的信号质量自动化每个电极的位置来克服所有这些缺点。 这项研究的第一个目的是开发算法以自动搜索并持有来自神经元的信号。初步数据表明，这对于从清醒记录，行为猴子和麻醉大鼠中记录的皮质神经元来说是可能的。第二个目的是开发低热量耗散，可锁定能量最少的MEMS致动器，并可以提供大型位移。初步研究表明，由共同研究器之一开发的电解执行器是该应用的理想选择。 AIM三将将早期目标中开发的所有组件集成到一个系统中。该设备将包括一个基于MEMS的多电极阵列，具有独立的移动电极以及板载控制，监视和通信电路。尽管这是开发技术的一项建议，但基本的假设是，该系统将改善多单元，慢性记录，而不是固定几何系统可以实现的目标。该假设最初将在麻醉大鼠中用皮质记录进行检验，然后在行为猴子的视觉皮质区域进行记录。