Work

Transparent and conformal microcoil arrays for spatially selective neuronal activation

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Micromagnetic stimulation (μMS) using small, implantable microcoils is a promising method for achieving neuronal activation with high spatial resolution and low toxicity. Herein, we report a microcoil array for localized activation of cortical neurons and retinal ganglion cells. We developed a computational model to relate the electric field gradient (activating function) to the geometry and arrangement of microcoils and selected a design that produced an anisotropic region of activation <50 μm wide. The device comprised an SU-8/Cu/SU-8 tri-layer structure that was flexible, transparent, and conformal and featured four individually addressable microcoils. Interfaced with cortex or retina explants from GCaMP6-expressing mice, we observed that individual neurons localized within 40 μm of a microcoil tip could be activated repeatedly and in a dose (power)-dependent fashion. These results demonstrate the potential of μMS devices for brain-machine interfaces and could enable routes toward bioelectronic therapies including prosthetic vision devices.

Source: Device

DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2024.100290

Authors: Vineeth Raghuram, Aditya D. Datye, Shelley I. Fried, Brian P. Timko

Institutions: Tufts University, Harvard University, VA Boston Healthcare System, Massachusetts General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neural Engineering

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $9,350