Neuroengineering 4: New Advances in Electrode Technologies
Wednesday, April 11, 11:00-12:30, Ballroom A, University Hotel Minneapolis

Organizer: Hubert H. Lim, Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota

“Towards a reliable neural interface: Probe scaling and flexible materials to multi-modalities”
Euisik Yoon, PhD, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan

"Conducting Polymers for Next Generation Implantable Electrodes"
Jeffrey Hendricks, PhD, Director of Engineering, Founder, Biotectix LLC

"Enhancing neural electrodes with nanotechnology"
John Ferguson, PhD, Medical Devices Center, University of Minnesota

Session Abstract:

In order to better understand brain function as well as improve implantable stimulation devices, we need to enhance the electrode-tissue interface for better recordings and more efficient stimulation. In this session, new electrode technologies will be presented, which includes various polymer and lattice materials, nanotextured coatings and nanowire electrodes, and integrated electronics. The potential clinical and scientific applications for these advanced technologies will also be discussed

Session Organizer Bio:

Hubert H. Lim, Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota
Hubert Lim is an Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Engineering Department (also adjunct appointment in Otolaryngology Department) at the University of Minnesota and an Institute for Translational Neuroscience Scholar. His research focuses on neural prostheses, auditory neuroscience, and brain plasticity with the aim of developing new neural treatments for hearing loss and tinnitus.

Speaker Bios:

Euisik Yoon, PhD, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan
Euisik Yoon received his PhD from University of Michigan. He worked for semiconductor industries including National Semiconductor, Silicon Graphics, and Agilent Technologies in California. He took faculty positions at KAIST, Korea and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN before he joined Michigan, where he currently serves as the Director of Solid-Sate Electronics Laboratory (SSEL) and Lurie Nanofabrication Facility (LNF). His current research interests are in BioMEMS and implantable biomedical sensors.

Jeffrey Hendricks, PhD, Director of Engineering, Founder, Biotectix, LLC
Dr. Hendricks is the Director of Engineering and a Founder of Biotectix, a company developing novel materials for medical electrodes based on his doctoral research.  He has experience in technical positions at NeuroPace and Lawrence Berkeley National Labs.  In addition to 15 peer-reviewed publications on conducting polymers for medical applications, he has also co-authored several patents in this area.

John Ferguson, PhD, Medical Devices Center Fellow, University of Minnesota
John Ferguson is a Senior Innovation Fellow at the University of Minnesota Medical Devices Center. He received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, and his research interests include medical device design, neural engineering, and nanotechnology.

Presentation Abstracts:

“Towards a reliable neural interface: Probe scaling and flexible materials to multi-modalities”
For long-term chronic recording of neural signals using the penetrating probes, a few recent trials made to mitigate tissue reaction and microglia formation will be introduced. Scaling of probe geometry was investigated to reduce probe surface area in the form of lattice probes, while polymer material was being investigated to provide flexibility to reduce micromotion effects. As a part of multi-modality, optical waveguides were monolithically integrated on the Michigan probe to provide optical stimulation capability in addition to electrical recording for optogenetics study. Finally, a minimally-invasive epidural recording device will be introduced for reliable brain-computer interface.

"Conducting Polymers for Next Generation Implantable Electrodes"
One of the key limiting factors for the improvement and miniaturization of current implantable medical devices is the efficient transmission of electrical signals at the tissue-electrode interface. Inherently conducting polymer electrode materials can address this shortcoming by facilitating electronic transfer at the interface through high effective surface area, dual electro-ionic conductivity, and mechanical compliance.  This talk will present in vitro and in vivo data on the enhancement of cardiac and neuromodulation devices with conducting polymers.

"Enhancing neural electrodes with nanotechnology"
Advances in nanotechnology allow electrode design to be controlled at the nanoscale, enabling novel device designs and applications. This talk will present the use of new nanofabrication techniques to create nanotextured electrode coatings and nanowire electrodes. The techniques developed can offer significant improvements in the quality of neural interfaces, overcoming traditional electrode limitations.

Realated Session:

Neuroengineering 1: Neuroimaging
Neuroengineering 2: Neuromodulation
Neuroengineering 3: Closed-Loop Neuromodulation