Methods and apparatus for stimulating and recording neural activity

US9861810B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Polina Anikeeva · Somerville, US
• Xiaoting Jia · Blacksburg, US
• Chi-Tung LU · Cambridge, US
• Andres Canales · Watertown, US
• Ulrich Paul Froriep · Watertown, US
• Christina Myra Tringides · Cambridge, US
• Yoel Fink · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 17, 2013
• Grant date: Jan 9, 2018
• Expiry date: Nov 6, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N2005/0662
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Thermal drawing processes can be used to make multifunctional, high-resolution neural probes for neural recording and stimulation. An exemplary neural probe may include one or more conductive fibers or microelectrodes coated with two or more layers of insulating material, at least one of which is partially etched to expose a tip at the neural probe's distal end. The conductive fibers conduct electrical signals (e.g., neural spikes or electrical stimulation) between the tip and the neural probe's proximal end. Optional optical and fluidic waveguides may guide light and fluid, respectively, between the tip and the proximal end. A neural probe may be flexible enough for long-term (chronic) implantation in neural tissue (e.g., the brain) without excessive tissue damage, even during movement of the brain in the skull. The probe may be made from biocompatible materials, such as insulating and conductive polymers, that have negligible (insignificant) interaction with the surrounding tissue.