University of Utah Research Foundation

Rajmohan Bhandari

Sandeep Negi

Florian Solzbacher

Richard A Normann

Mobashir Hasan Shandi

A method of manufacturing a micro-molded electrode () having multiple individually addressable sensors () along a shaft () can include forming a recess in a mold substrate, depositing a structural material therein, depositing a conductive material at specific locations, providing a coating (), and removing the mold substrate. A micro-molded electrode () having a base () tapering to at least one shaft () can include an electrode substrate, multiple individually addressable sensors (), and a coating ().

Methods of making micro-molded electrodes and arrays

A multi-site electrode array () can include a microneedle array and a set of electrically active sites (). The microneedle array includes a plurality of microneedles () supported on a base substrate (). The set of electrically active sites () can be arranged at and/or near the tip of each microneedle (), and in many cases along a shaft of the microneedles. Further, at least a portion of the active sites () can be independently electrically addressable such that a remaining portion of the active sites () are optionally electrically shunted together. In some cases all of the active sites () are independently electrically addressable.

Multi-site electrode arrays and methods of making the same

An implantable medical device can include an electrode substrate electrically connected to at least one electrode. The device can have a pseudoporous surface across the electrode substrate and electrode. This surface can result in a real surface area (RSA) greater than the geometric surface area (GSA) of the device. The pseudoporous surface can be a macroporous surface enabling a charge injection capacity greater than 1 mC/cmwhile minimizing rejection of the device by surrounding tissue in chronic implant applications. The electrode can be a thin layer of conductive material, such as platinum or another metal, conformally deposited on the pseudoporous surface of the electrode substrate. A method of making the implantable device can include forming the device having an electrode substrate and at least one electrode electrically coupled to the electrode substrate, and forming a pseudoporous surface on the electrode substrate and electrode.

Pseudoporous surface of implantable materials and methods of making the same

A high aspect ratio shadow mask and a method of making and using the high aspect ratio shadow mask can provide multiple conductive trace pathways along high aspect ratio electrodes. The high aspect ratio shadow mask can include a substantially planar base layer and a plurality of hollow high aspect ratio projections extending from the substantially planar base layer. The high aspect ratio shadow mask can further include a plurality of openings along the hollow projections which define trace deposition patterns.

Structure and methodology for a shadow mask having hollow high aspect ratio projections

Technology for a neural interface is described. The neural interface can include an intracranial electrode grid operable to detect neural activity. The neural interface can include a subcutaneous microelectronic signal processing unit operable to process the neural activity in order to obtain digital neural activity information. The neural interface can include a cable connecting the intracranial electrode grid and the subcutaneous microelectronic signal processing unit. The neural interface can include a wired connector attached to the subcutaneous microelectronic signal processing unit that is operable to transmit the digital neural activity information from the subcutaneous microelectronic signal processing unit to an external signal processing device.

Neural interface

A micro-needle array having tips disposed along a non-planar surface is formed by shaping the wafer surface into a non-planar surface to define the tips of the micro-needles. A plurality of trenches are cut into the wafer to form a plurality of columns having tops corresponding to the non-planar surface. The columns are rounded and sharpened by etching to form the micro-needles.

Micro-needle arrays having non-planar tips and methods of manufacture thereof

Methods for wafer-scale fabrication of needle arrays can include mechanically modifying a wafer to produce a plurality of vertically-extending columns. The columns are etched to round and reshape the columns into substantially uniformly shaped needles. Needle arrays having needle width non-uniformity of less than about 3% and length non-uniformity of less than about 2% can be produced.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Rajmohan Bhandari