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Congratulations Maddie! Thesis: The Design and Development of a 3D Printed Hindlimb Stabilization Apparatus for the Measurement of Stimulation-Evoked Ankle Torque in the Rat.

Summer 2020

March 2020

March 2020

March 2020

In this chapter, we discuss the fundamentals required for understanding the field of bioelectronics devices. We provide an overview of specific technologies, applications, and failure modes for existing and emerging approaches. Biomaterials-based strategies are a key to helping to solve some of the major problems in the field: chronic stability, biological tissue response and biocompatibility, and commercialization potential. The chapter is not intended to be a comprehensive and exhaustive list of all the latest technical developments as the field is rapidly changing. The intended reader is instead the new biomaterials-focused undergraduate or early graduate student interested in gaining an appreciation of the high level technical and physiological considerations in neural bioelectronic interfacing.

Implanted neural stimulation and recording devices hold vast potential to treat a variety of neurological conditions, but the invasiveness, complexity, and cost of the implantation procedure greatly reduce access to an otherwise promising therapeutic approach. To address this need, a novel electrode that begins as an uncured, flowable prepolymer that can be injected around a neuroanatomical target to minimize surgical manipulation is developed. Referred to as the Injectrode, the electrode conforms to target structures forming an electrically conductive interface which is orders of magnitude less stiff than conventional neuromodulation electrodes. To validate the Injectrode, detailed electrochemical and microscopy characterization of its material properties is performed and the feasibility of using it to stimulate the nervous system electrically in rats and swine is validated. The silicone-metal-particle composite performs very similarly to pure wire of the same metal (silver) in all measures, including exhibiting a favorable cathodic charge storage capacity (CSCC ) and charge injection limits compared to the clinical LivaNova stimulation electrode and silver wire electrodes. By virtue of its simplicity, the Injectrode has the potential to be less invasive, more robust, and more cost-effective than traditional electrode designs, which could increase the adoption of neuromodulation therapies for existing and new indications.

Optimizing Delivery of a Known Therapeutic Agent, Dexamethasone, to Improve Microelectrode Recording Performance 

Physiological / anatomical substrates of evoked compound action potentials during spinal cord stimulation

Multiscale imaging of the carotid sinus nerve

Injectable multi-level sacral root neuromodulation interface for the treatment of SCI bladder dysfunction

ShEEP Request for Ultra-High-Frequency Ultrasound VisualSonics Imaging System

Computational Modeling, Functional Validation of the Imthera Lead to Limit Off Target Effects of Cervical Vagus Stimulation

VA RR&D Career Development Award -1: Dynamically Softening Microelectrodes to Improve Neural Recording Performance

Development of an Adaptable Non-Invasive Neuromodulation Platform