Fabrication of neural interfaces using 3D projection micro-stereolithography

DWPI Title: Fabrication of neural interface used to exchange information between nervous system and electrical circuit, involves coating polymer resin on substrate, displaying image on coated substrate, developing imaged substrate
Abstract: The present invention is related to methods of fabricating neural interfaces using 3D projection micro-stereolithography.
Use: Fabrication of neutral interface used to exchange information between nervous system and electrical circuit used to control sensorimotor prosthetic devices, to restore lost function due to nerve damage and to improve human understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of nervous system operation.
Advantage: The method produces physically structured interface with mechanical property compatible with mechanical property of nerve tissue, selective electrical conductivity to enable the transmission of electrical signals to and from neurons, mechanical flexibility (due to presence of polymer mat). The interface allows neurons to grow through them by including specific openings for axons and fascicles to grow.
Novelty: Fabrication of neural interface (10) involves coating a photo-curable polymer resin on a substrate, displaying an image comprising regular pores on the coated substrate using projection microstereolithography and cross-linking the resin, developing the imaged substrate in the presence of solvent system (S1) and revealing an array of pores formed within a porous polymer mat. The solvent system determines a feature size of the pores. The developing process provides a reduction in the feature size of pores as compared to a feature size of the regular pores provided in the image.
Filed: 11/20/2013
Application Number: US14085671A
Tech ID: SD 12525.2
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate
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