Collaborative Research: Microcoaxial electro-optical mechanically flexible probes for minimally invasive interfacing with spinal neural circuits

About This Grant

The nervous system interprets a wide range of signals to help control how humans move. This process involves specialized circuits in both the brain and spinal cord. Although tools are available to measure circuits in the brain, it is still challenging to measure activity in the spinal cord. This project will develop new probes for studying the spinal cord that are small, flexible, and can study multiple regions of the spinal cord at the same time. Overall, the project will address how to engineer spinal cord probes that can be precisely positioned to target specific spinal neural circuits at different sites and depths. In addition to its scientific impact, this project will develop student talent in engineering. An “Adopt-a-Student” program will be established to introduce middle and high school students to STEM fields. This project will also enhance undergraduate education by implementing hands-on training and mentoring through new classroom laboratory modules and team projects. This project will accelerate the development of minimally invasive, multi-modal probe technologies for acute and chronic spinal interfacing. High-aspect ratio, dual-modality, mechanically flexible probes will be fabricated that deliver a small footprint of less than 10 μm, low electrical impedances, and sub 20 dB optical losses from source to tip that allow efficient activation of opsin-labeled neurons, and simultaneous high signal-to-noise ratio electrophysiological recordings with single-unit recording capacity at the same site. Detachable printed circuit board templates will be fabricated for the first time, providing a “GPS” for probe placement, high-fidelity electrical/optical connections, and the ability to seal a laminectomy covering multiple spinal segments and both sides of the spinal cord. The findings from this project will lead to scalable manufacturing solutions for high-density, multi-modal arrays of individually addressable probes that leverage global positioning via computer vision-assisted robotic insertions. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.