Abstracts

Implanted neural electrodes require high stiffness toensure the insertion into the target tissue and to provideconnections to multichannel contacts. However, recent studiessuggest that the stiffness of the implanted device cansignificantly influenced the tissue response, and subsequently thechronic performance of the electrode. Current methods to improveflexibility methods include adding biodegradable or biomimeticsubstrate materials. But adding those materials also raise issuessuch as remaining material following biodegradation or increasingthe electrode neural distance. The goal of thesis is to design aflexible electrode whose dimension and flexibility should besimilar to that of a single axon, as well as an effective insertionmethod that can minimize the neural trauma. To achieve the goal,carbon nanotube yarns were chosen for their high flexibility andbiocompatibility. The flexible carbon nanotube yarns were combinedwith a removable stiff needle such as a tungsten needle for theinsertion. The diameter () and flexural rigidity of the designedneural interface () are similar to that of a single axon. Thisneural interface was implanted into the rat sciatic nerve and couldrecord neural activity for long periods of time. This novel deviceprovides the basis for a platform technology for long termrecording of neural signals in small nerves such as those of theautonomic nervous system which so far has not beenachieved.Advisors/Committee Members: Durand, Dominique (Committee Chair).