BMSEED LLC, Phoenix, AZ, 85034, USA.
School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA.
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2022 Jan;9(3):e2102945. doi: 10.1002/advs.202102945. Epub 2021 Nov 26.
Peripheral nerves carry sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) signals between the central nervous system and other parts of the body. The peripheral nervous system (PNS) is therefore rich in targets for therapeutic neuromodulation, bioelectronic medicine, and neuroprosthetics. Peripheral nerve interfaces (PNIs) generally suffer from a tradeoff between selectivity and invasiveness. This work describes the fabrication, evaluation, and chronic implantation in zebra finches of a novel PNI that breaks this tradeoff by interfacing with small nerves. This PNI integrates a soft, stretchable microelectrode array with a 2-photon 3D printed microclip (μcPNI). The advantages of this μcPNI compared to other designs are: a) increased spatial resolution due to bi-layer wiring of the electrode leads, b) reduced mismatch in biomechanical properties with the nerve, c) reduced disturbance to the host tissue due to the small size, d) elimination of sutures or adhesives, e) high circumferential contact with small nerves, f) functionality under considerable strain, and g) graded neuromodulation in a low-threshold stimulation regime. Results demonstrate that the μcPNIs are electromechanically robust, and are capable of reliably recording and stimulating neural activity in vivo in small nerves. The μcPNI may also inform the development of new optical, thermal, ultrasonic, or chemical PNIs as well.
周围神经在中枢神经系统和身体其他部位之间传递感觉（传入）和运动（传出）信号。因此，周围神经系统（PNS）是治疗性神经调节、生物电子医学和神经假肢的丰富目标。周围神经接口（PNI）通常在选择性和侵入性之间存在权衡。本工作描述了一种新型 PNI 的制造、评估和慢性植入，该 PNI 通过与小神经接口打破了这种权衡。这种 PNI 将柔软、可拉伸的微电极阵列与双光子 3D 打印微夹（μcPNI）集成在一起。与其他设计相比，μcPNI 的优势在于：a）由于电极引线的双层布线，提高了空间分辨率，b）减小了与神经的生物力学性质不匹配，c）由于尺寸小，对宿主组织的干扰减小，d）消除了缝合线或粘合剂，e）与小神经的高周向接触，f）在相当大的应变下具有功能性，以及 g）在低阈值刺激模式下进行分级神经调节。结果表明，μcPNI 在机械和电气方面都很坚固，能够可靠地在小神经中进行体内神经活动的记录和刺激。μcPNI 也可能为新的光学、热学、超声或化学 PNI 的发展提供信息。
