Dataset Information

PHEMA Encapsulated PEDOT-PSS-CNT Microsphere Microelectrodes for Recording Single Unit Activity in the Brain.

ABSTRACT: The long-term reliability of neural interfaces and stability of high-quality recordings are still unsolved issues in neuroscience research. High surface area PEDOT-PSS-CNT composites are able to greatly improve the performance of recording and stimulation for traditional intracortical metal microelectrodes by decreasing their impedance and increasing their charge transfer capability. This enhancement significantly reduces the size of the implantable device though preserving excellent electrical performances. On the other hand, the presence of nanomaterials often rises concerns regarding possible health hazards, especially when considering a clinical application of the devices. For this reason, we decided to explore the problem from a new perspective by designing and testing an innovative device based on nanostructured microspheres grown on a thin tether, integrating PEDOT-PSS-CNT nanocomposites with a soft synthetic permanent biocompatible hydrogel. The pHEMA hydrogel preserves the electrochemical performance and high quality recording ability of PEDOT-PSS-CNT coated devices, reduces the mechanical mismatch between soft brain tissue and stiff devices and also avoids direct contact between the neural tissue and the nanocomposite, by acting as a biocompatible protective barrier against potential nanomaterial detachment. Moreover, the spherical shape of the electrode together with the surface area increase provided by the nanocomposite deposited on it, maximize the electrical contact and may improve recording stability over time. These results have a good potential to contribute to fulfill the grand challenge of obtaining stable neural interfaces for long-term applications.

SUBMITTER: Castagnola E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4834343 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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pHEMA Encapsulated PEDOT-PSS-CNT Microsphere Microelectrodes for Recording Single Unit Activity in the Brain.

Castagnola Elisa E Maggiolini Emma E Ceseracciu Luca L Ciarpella Francesca F Zucchini Elena E De Faveri Sara S Fadiga Luciano L Ricci Davide D

Frontiers in neuroscience 20160418

The long-term reliability of neural interfaces and stability of high-quality recordings are still unsolved issues in neuroscience research. High surface area PEDOT-PSS-CNT composites are able to greatly improve the performance of recording and stimulation for traditional intracortical metal microelectrodes by decreasing their impedance and increasing their charge transfer capability. This enhancement significantly reduces the size of the implantable device though preserving excellent electrical ...[more]

PMID: 27147944

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Project description:OBJECTIVE:Our objective was to determine how readily disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) occurred as a result of bone drilling during a craniotomy to implant microelectrodes in rat cortex. While the phenomenon of heat production during bone drilling is well known, practices to evade damage to the underlying brain tissue are inconsistently practiced and reported in the literature. APPROACH:We conducted a review of the intracortical microelectrode literature to summarize typical approaches to mitigate drill heating during rodent craniotomies. Post mortem skull-surface and transient brain-surface temperatures were experimentally recorded using an infrared camera and thermocouple, respectively. A number of drilling conditions were tested, including varying drill speed and continuous versus intermittent contact. In vivo BBB permeability was assayed 1?h after the craniotomy procedure using Evans blue dye. MAIN RESULTS:Of the reviewed papers that mentioned methods to mitigate thermal damage during craniotomy, saline irrigation was the most frequently cited (in six of seven papers). In post mortem tissues, we observed increases in skull-surface temperature ranging from??+3 °C to??+21 °C, dependent on drill speed. In vivo, pulsed-drilling (2 s-on/2 s-off) and slow-drilling speeds (1000 r.p.m.) were the most effective methods we studied to mitigate heating effects from drilling, while inconclusive results were obtained with saline irrigation. SIGNIFICANCE:Neuroinflammation, initiated by damage to the BBB and perpetuated by the foreign body response, is thought to play a key role in premature failure of intracortical recording microelectrodes. This study demonstrates the extreme sensitivity of the BBB to overheating caused by bone drilling. To avoid damage to the BBB, the authors recommend that craniotomies be drilled with slow speeds and/or with intermittent drilling with complete removal of the drill from the skull during 'off' periods. While saline alone was ineffective at preventing overheating, its use is still recommended to remove bone dust from the surgical site and to augment other cooling methods.

Dataset Information

PHEMA Encapsulated PEDOT-PSS-CNT Microsphere Microelectrodes for Recording Single Unit Activity in the Brain.

Publications

pHEMA Encapsulated PEDOT-PSS-CNT Microsphere Microelectrodes for Recording Single Unit Activity in the Brain.

Similar Datasets

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