Michael Trumpis

Bioresorbable silicon electronics for transient spatiotemporal mapping of electrical activity from the cerebral cortex

Bioresorbable silicon electronics technology offers unprecedented opportunities to deploy advanced implantable monitoring systems that eliminate risks, cost and discomfort associated with surgical extraction. Applications include post-operative monitoring and transient physiologic recording after percutaneous or minimally invasive placement of vascular, cardiac, orthopedic, neural or other devices. We present an embodiment of these materials in both passive and actively addressed arrays of bioresorbable silicon electrodes with multiplexing capabilities, that record in vivo electrophysiological signals from the cortical surface and the subgaleal space. The devices detect normal physiologic and epileptiform activity, both in acute and chronic recordings. Comparative studies show sensor performance comparable to standard clinical systems and reduced tissue reactivity relative to conventional clinical electrocorticography (ECoG) electrodes. This technology offers general applicability in neural interfaces, with additional potential utility in treatment of disorders where transient monitoring and modulation of physiologic function, implant integrity and tissue recovery or regeneration are required.

Capacitively coupled arrays of multiplexed flexible silicon transistors for long-term cardiac electrophysiology

Advanced capabilities in electrical recording are essential for the treatment of heart-rhythm diseases. The most advanced technologies use flexible integrated electronics; however, the penetration of biological fluids into the underlying electronics and any ensuing electrochemical reactions pose significant safety risks. Here, we show that an ultrathin, leakage-free, biocompatible dielectric layer can completely seal an underlying layer of flexible electronics while allowing for electrophysiological measurements through capacitive coupling between tissue and the electronics, and thus without the need for direct metal contact. The resulting current-leakage levels and operational lifetimes are, respectively, four orders of magnitude smaller and between two and three orders of magnitude longer than those of any other flexible-electronics technology. Systematic electrophysiological studies with normal, paced and arrhythmic conditions in Langendorff hearts highlight the capabilities of the capacitive-coupling approach. Our technology provides a realistic pathway towards the broad applicability of biocompatible, flexible electronic implants.

A low-cost, multiplexed μECoG system for high-density recordings in freely moving rodents

OBJECTIVE Micro-electrocorticography (μECoG) offers a minimally invasive neural interface with high spatial resolution over large areas of cortex. However, electrode arrays with many contacts that are individually wired to external recording systems are cumbersome and make recordings in freely behaving rodents challenging. We report a novel high-density 60-electrode system for μECoG recording in freely moving rats. APPROACH Multiplexed headstages overcome the problem of wiring complexity by combining signals from many electrodes to a smaller number of connections. We have developed a low-cost, multiplexed recording system with 60 contacts at 406 μm spacing. We characterized the quality of the electrode signals using multiple metrics that tracked spatial variation, evoked-response detectability, and decoding value. Performance of the system was validated both in anesthetized animals and freely moving awake animals. MAIN RESULTS We recorded μECoG signals over the primary auditory cortex, measuring responses to acoustic stimuli across all channels. Single-trial responses had high signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) (up to 25 dB under anesthesia), and were used to rapidly measure network topography within ∼10 s by constructing all single-channel receptive fields in parallel. We characterized evoked potential amplitudes and spatial correlations across the array in the anesthetized and awake animals. Recording quality in awake animals was stable for at least 30 days. Finally, we used these responses to accurately decode auditory stimuli on single trials. SIGNIFICANCE This study introduces (1) a μECoG recording system based on practical hardware design and (2) a rigorous analytical method for characterizing the signal characteristics of μECoG electrode arrays. This methodology can be applied to evaluate the fidelity and lifetime of any μECoG electrode array. Our μECoG-based recording system is accessible and will be useful for studies of perception and decision-making in rodents, particularly over the entire time course of behavioral training and learning.

A low-cost, open-source, wireless electrophysiology system

Many experiments in neuroscience require or would benefit tremendously from a wireless neural recording system. However, commercially available wireless systems are expensive, have moderate to high noise and are often not customizable. Academic wireless systems present impressive capabilities [1]-[4], but are not available for other labs to use. To overcome these limitations, we have developed an ultra-low noise 8 channel wireless electrophysiological data acquisition system using standard, commercially available components. The system is capable of recording many types of neurological signals, including EEG, ECoG, LFP and unit activity. With a diameter of just 25 mm and height of 9 mm, including a CR2032 Lithium coin cell battery, it is designed to fit into a small recording chamber while minimizing the overall implant height (Fig. 1 and 3). Using widely available parts we were able to keep the material cost of our system under

A low-cost, scalable, current-sensing digital headstage for high channel count μECoG

100 dollars. The complete design, including schematic, PCB layout, bill of materials and source code, will be released through an open source license, allowing other labs to modify the design to fit their needs. We have also developed a driver to acquire data using the BCI2000 software system. Feedback from the community will allow us to improve the design and create a more useful neuroscience research tool.

A low-cost, multiplexed electrophysiology system for chronic μECoG recordings in rodents.

OBJECTIVE High channel count electrode arrays allow for the monitoring of large-scale neural activity at high spatial resolution. Implantable arrays featuring many recording sites require compact, high bandwidth front-end electronics. In the present study, we investigated the use of a small, light weight, and low cost digital current-sensing integrated circuit for acquiring cortical surface signals from a 61-channel micro-electrocorticographic (μECoG) array. APPROACH We recorded both acute and chronic μECoG signal from rat auditory cortex using our novel digital current-sensing headstage. For direct comparison, separate recordings were made in the same anesthetized preparations using an analog voltage headstage. A model of electrode impedance explained the transformation between current- and voltage-sensed signals, and was used to reconstruct cortical potential. We evaluated the digital headstage using several metrics of the baseline and response signals. MAIN RESULTS The digital current headstage recorded neural signal with similar spatiotemporal statistics and auditory frequency tuning compared to the voltage signal. The signal-to-noise ratio of auditory evoked responses (AERs) was significantly stronger in the current signal. Stimulus decoding based on true and reconstructed voltage signals were not significantly different. Recordings from an implanted system showed AERs that were detectable and decodable for 52 d. The reconstruction filter mitigated the thermal current noise of the electrode impedance and enhanced overall SNR. SIGNIFICANCE We developed and validated a novel approach to headstage acquisition that used current-input circuits to independently digitize 61 channels of μECoG measurements of the cortical field. These low-cost circuits, intended to measure photo-currents in digital imaging, not only provided a signal representing the local cortical field with virtually the same sensitivity and specificity as a traditional voltage headstage but also resulted in a small, light headstage that can easily be scaled to record from hundreds of channels.

A low-cost, 61-channel µECoG array for use in rodents

Micro-Electrocorticography (μECoG) offers a minimally invasive, high resolution interface with large areas of cortex. However, large arrays of electrodes with many contacts that are individually wired to external recording systems are cumbersome and make chronic recording in freely behaving small animals challenging. Multiplexed headstages overcome this limitation by combining the signals from many electrodes to a smaller number of connections directly on the animals head. Commercially available multiplexed headstages provide high performance integrated amplification, multiplexing and analog to digital conversion[1], [2]. However, the cost of these systems can be prohibitive for small labs or for experiments that require a large number of animals to be continuously recorded at the same time. Here we have developed a multiplexed 60-channel headstage amplifier optimized to chronically record electrophysiological signals from high-density μECoG electrode arrays. A single, ultraflexible (2mm thickness) microHDMI cable provided the data interface. Using low cost components, we have reduced the cost of the multiplexed headstage to ~

Cross-correlation based μECoG waveform tracking

125. Paired with a custom interface printed circuit board (PCB) and a general purpose data acquisition system (M-series DAQ, National Instruments), an inexpensive and customizable electrophysiology system is assembled. Open source LabVIEW software that we have previously released [3] controlled the system. It can also be used with other open source neural data acquisition packages [4][5]. Combined, we have presented a scalable, low-cost platform for high-channel count electrophysiology.

Long-term recording reliability of liquid crystal polymer µECoG arrays

Micro-Electrocorticography (μECoG) offers a minimally invasive, high resolution interface with large areas of cortex. A wide variety of μECoG designs have been developed and customized [1]-[4], including active, multiplexed arrays [5] and arrays on dissolving substrates for increased conformal contact [6]. However, designing and fabricating customized μECoG arrays requires access to microfabrication facilities, which many neuroscience labs do not have. Microfabrication is also typically labor intensive and expensive. Commercial μECoG arrays with 64 electrodes and coarser dimensions cost approximately

In vitro assessment of long-term reliability of low-cost μΕCoG arrays

1000, limiting their suitability for chronic implantation in large numbers of animals. Here we present a high density (406 μm spacing), flexible (~30 μm thin), 61-contact μECoG electrode array fabricated using a low-cost, commercial manufacturing process. The array costs just