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Neurotrophic Electrode Arrays

Foster-Miller, in collaboration with Neural Signals, Inc. and InnerSea Technology is developing the fabrication and assembly processes for mass produced, inexpensive, neurotrophic electrodes that can be used to exchange information with central nerve tissue. Neurotrophic electrodes are designed to record from individual or multiple axon potentials recorded across a pair of wires inside a glass, conical tip. Current neurotrophic electrodes are manufactured by hand, using small conical pieces of pulled-glass pipettes and adding wire electrodes that are cemented in place. Based on LCP microfabrication and packaging techniques, we are developing a batch process that will allow mass production of hundreds of these devices with many more electrodes per device than currently possible. Development of LCP-based neurotrophic electrode arrays will expand existing research to create new areas of application and thus enable many research groups to contribute to the development of neuroprostheses based on neurotrophic electrodes.