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Toward a self-deploying shape memory polymer neuronal electrode.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sharp, AA; Panchawagh, HV; Ortega, A; Artale, R; Richardson-Burns, S; Finch, DS; Gall, K; Mahajan, RL; Restrepo, D
Published in: Journal of neural engineering
December 2006

The widespread application of neuronal probes for chronic recording of brain activity and functional stimulation has been slow to develop partially due to long-term biocompatibility problems with existing metallic and ceramic probes and the tissue damage caused during probe insertion. Stiff probes are easily inserted into soft brain tissue but cause astrocytic scars that become insulating sheaths between electrodes and neurons. In this communication, we explore the feasibility of a new approach to the composition and implantation of chronic electrode arrays. We demonstrate that softer polymer-based probes can be inserted into the olfactory bulb of a mouse and that slow insertion of the probes reduces astrocytic scarring. We further present the development of a micromachined shape memory polymer probe, which provides a vehicle to self-deploy an electrode at suitably slow rates and which can provide sufficient force to penetrate the brain. The deployment rate and composition of shape memory polymer probes can be tailored by polymer chemistry and actuator design. We conclude that it is feasible to fabricate shape memory polymer-based electrodes that would slowly self-implant compliant conductors into the brain, and both decrease initial trauma resulting from implantation and enhance long-term biocompatibility for long-term neuronal measurement and stimulation.

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Published In

Journal of neural engineering

DOI

EISSN

1741-2552

ISSN

1741-2560

Publication Date

December 2006

Volume

3

Issue

4

Start / End Page

L23 / L30

Related Subject Headings

  • Temperature
  • Polymers
  • Neurons
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Mice
  • Male
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Gliosis
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Equipment Design
 

Citation

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Sharp, A. A., Panchawagh, H. V., Ortega, A., Artale, R., Richardson-Burns, S., Finch, D. S., … Restrepo, D. (2006). Toward a self-deploying shape memory polymer neuronal electrode. Journal of Neural Engineering, 3(4), L23–L30. https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2560/3/4/l02
Sharp, Andrew A., Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Alicia Ortega, Ryan Artale, Sarah Richardson-Burns, Dudley S. Finch, Ken Gall, Roop L. Mahajan, and Diego Restrepo. “Toward a self-deploying shape memory polymer neuronal electrode.Journal of Neural Engineering 3, no. 4 (December 2006): L23–30. https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2560/3/4/l02.
Sharp AA, Panchawagh HV, Ortega A, Artale R, Richardson-Burns S, Finch DS, et al. Toward a self-deploying shape memory polymer neuronal electrode. Journal of neural engineering. 2006 Dec;3(4):L23–30.
Sharp, Andrew A., et al. “Toward a self-deploying shape memory polymer neuronal electrode.Journal of Neural Engineering, vol. 3, no. 4, Dec. 2006, pp. L23–30. Epmc, doi:10.1088/1741-2560/3/4/l02.
Sharp AA, Panchawagh HV, Ortega A, Artale R, Richardson-Burns S, Finch DS, Gall K, Mahajan RL, Restrepo D. Toward a self-deploying shape memory polymer neuronal electrode. Journal of neural engineering. 2006 Dec;3(4):L23–L30.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of neural engineering

DOI

EISSN

1741-2552

ISSN

1741-2560

Publication Date

December 2006

Volume

3

Issue

4

Start / End Page

L23 / L30

Related Subject Headings

  • Temperature
  • Polymers
  • Neurons
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Mice
  • Male
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Gliosis
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Equipment Design