T10, Microsystems and nanytechnology (Joao Pedro Conde)

Question 1

What is a Michigan probe?

Answer 1

DEFINITION
- Micromachined electrodes for intracortical recordings

• Implantable 3D structures, can contain up to 1,024 recording sites and revolutionize the way we investigate and understand the functional connectivity of cortical microcircuits.
• built to take advantage of the planar photolithographic manufacturing techniques used in the semiconductor industry,

APPLICATIONS

• retinal prosthesis
• cochlear implantants
• fundamental neural interfacing studies

Question 2

What are the key steps in micro fabrication in a Michigan probe?

Answer 2

bottom up?

Question 3

• Understand basic concepts of top-down and bottom-up micro and nanofabrication

Answer 3

TOP DOWN NANOFABRICATION

• nanostructures are synthesized by etching out crystals planes which are already present.
• approach where the building blocks are REMOVED from the substrate to form the nanostructure.

BOTTTOM UP
“self-assembly”
- nanostructures are synthesized onto the substrate by stacking atoms onto each other, which gives rise to crystal planes, that stack onto each other,
- approach where the building blocks are ADDED onto the substrate to form the nanostructures.

example:
- The process of cyclic photophosphorylation
- self-assembled monolayers
- nanoparticles in bioengineering (carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles, quantum dots)

Question 4

Understand what are MEMS and Lab-on-chip systems and their main characteristics

Answer 4

MEMS

• micromachines
• developed in the late 90’s

LAB-ON-CHIP

• portability
• speed
• sensitivity
• low cost
• easy to use
• automation
• cell chips for tissue organisation, cell culture and analysis

Challenge:
-integration of fluidic, optical, electronic and biological

Question 5

• Understand what are the main current applications of microsystems in neuroengineering

Answer 5

APPLICATION
1. nanostructed products and materials

2. Electronics, optoelectronics and information and communication technology
3. Lan-on-a-chip and mhemical micro process engineering
4. nanoviotechnology and nanomedicine

• not yet widely applied neuroscience purposes
• nanofabricated biomimetic drug delivery vehicle
  nanostructed products and nano materials

Question 6

what is the long term objective of drug delivery systems?

Answer 6

the ability to target selected cells within the body and deliver a molecular payload

Question 7

what is the long term objective of drug delivery systems?

Answer 7

the ability to target selected cells within the body and deliver a molecular payload

Question 8

What is the Utah microelectrode array?

Answer 8

The Utah Electrode Array (UEA)

• the most known implantable silicon MEA probe having a 3D structure
• the first one that has been implanted chronically in the cortex of paralyzed patients.
• designed “from scratch” to meet the need of a neural interface for multisite recording within a horizontal plane in the cerebral cortex.
• The tip of each needle electrode is coated with metals: gold, platinum, or iridium.
• was originally developed as means of restoring limited but useful sight to individuals with profound blindness

APPLICATION

• studies for neural prosthetic applications
• retinal prosthetic applications
• motion-based prosthetic applications