Microchannel scaffolds and microtube electrodes for a neural interface system

Abstract

Neural interfaces with the peripheral nervous system have been developed to provide a direct communication pathway between peripheral nerves and prosthetic limbs. Described herein is a microchannel integrated neural network device and system which can control the reinnervated muscles and interpret neurological signals. The acquired bioelectrical signals can be used for the interpretation of mind and create a neural map.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A microchannel integrated neural network device comprising:
 a body,   a plurality of microchannels formed in the body, wherein the microchannels have an internal diameter approximately equal to the diameter of a nerve axon; and   one or more electrodes, each electrode disposed in a portion of one of the microchannels.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the microchannels have an internal diameter of between about 5 micrometers to about 200 micrometers. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein each electrode is a tubular electrode oriented coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the microchannels. 
     
     
         4 . The device of any one of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein the electrodes are composed of a biologically inert conductive metal. 
     
     
         5 . The device of any one of  claims 1 - 4 , further comprising one or more wires coupled to the electrodes, wherein the wires allow communication between the electrodes and an electronic signal detection device. 
     
     
         6 . The device of any one of  claims 1 - 5 , wherein the body is formed from a biologically inert polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The device of any one of  claim 1 - 6 , wherein the device comprises:
 a non-conductive biologically inert support;   a polymeric layer disposed on the surface of the support, wherein the microchannels are formed in the polymeric layer; and   one or more electrodes, each electrode disposed in a portion of one of the microchannels;   a plurality of conductive metal lines formed on the substrates each conductive metal line comprising:
 a contact pad which is configured to couple the conductive metal line to an external signal measuring device; 
 contact regions which couple the conductive metal line to one or more to the electrodes. 
   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the non-conductive biologically inert support is a silicon wafer. 
     
     
         9 . A method of making the microchannel neural interface device of any one of  claims 1 - 6 , comprising:
 placing a plurality of metal wires in a curable composition, wherein the curable composition comprises a polymerizable compound and wherein the metal wires have a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of a nerve axon;   curing the curable composition to form a polymeric object having a plurality of metal wires embedded in the polymeric object;   removing the metal wires from the polymeric object to form a plurality of microchannels within the polymeric object; and   coupling electrodes to one or more of the microchannels.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the metal wires are copper wires. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  or  10 , wherein the curable composition comprises a curable monomer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the curable monomer is a monomer capable of being polymerized into polydimethylsiloxane. 
     
     
         13 . The method of any one of  claims 9 - 12 , wherein removing the metal wires comprises dissolving the metal wires. 
     
     
         14 . A neural interface system comprising a plurality of microchannel integrated neural network devices, as described in any one of  claims 1 - 8  and an electronic controller coupled to each of the microchannel neural interface devices, wherein the electronic controller receives bioelectrical signals from peripheral nerves coupled to the microchannel neural interface devices.