Design and fabrication of novel regenerative implant based on polymeric material

Benmerah, Samia (2015). Design and fabrication of novel regenerative implant based on polymeric material. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis presents the design and the fabrication process of a three-dimensional (3D) neural interface consisting of a bundle of parallel micro-channels with (100μmx100μm) cross-sectional area and embedded micro-electrodes. This is a regenerative implant that is able to stimulate and record extracellular neural signals in the peripheral nervous system as demonstrated by the \(in-vivo\) experiments conducted in collaboration as part of this project. These implants have the potential to be developed into long-term neural interfaces capable of extracting neural signals from stumps of severed peripheral nerves to use as control inputs for muscles simulators or artificial limbs for amputees. The skeleton of the device is entirely made of flexible polyimide films. Gold micro-electrodes and micro-channels of photosensitive polyimide are patterned directly on polyimide substrates. After fabrication, the 2D electrode micro-channel array is rolled into a 3D structure forming concentric rolls of closed micro-channel arrays with a Swiss-roll like arrangement. Microflex Interconnection technique (MFI) was incorporated successfully into the implant. The performance of the implant microelectrodes was characterised \(in-vitro\) through impedance spectroscopy and \(in-vivo\) via implantation in animals for three months. The ability of the electrodes to stimulate and capture action potentials from regenerated tissue was also assessed.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):