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Nanofabricated Neural Probe System for Dense 3-D Recordings of Brain Activity

Citation

Rios, Gustavo (2016) Nanofabricated Neural Probe System for Dense 3-D Recordings of Brain Activity. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/Z9BG2M0B. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05172016-133516099

Abstract

Computations in brain circuits involve the coordinated activation of large populations of neurons distributed across brain areas. However, monitoring neuronal activity in the brain of intact animals with high temporal and spatial resolution has remained a technological challenge. Here we address this challenge by developing dense, three-dimensional (3-D) electrode array system for electrophysiology. The front-end of the system is composed of nanofabricated neural probes with ultrathin shanks that are engineered to minimize tissue damage. The probes are connected via flexible cables to custom PCBs that multiplex the electrophysiological signals. This system architecture decouples the front-end both mechanically and thermally from the PCB which carries all active electronics for signal conditioning and multiplexing. This system was validated in vivo with hippocampal recordings from head-fixed mice. The culmination of these efforts was a 3-D array with 1024 sites packed within 0.6 mm3 of tissue that yielded the densest electrophysiological recordings to date.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:nanofabricated neural probes, high-density, microelectrodes, brain mapping
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Biology and Biological Engineering
Major Option:Bioengineering
Awards:Demetriades-Tsafka-Kokkalis Prize in Nanotechnology or Related Fields, 2016
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Siapas, Athanassios G.
Group:Kavli Nanoscience Institute
Thesis Committee:
  • Dickinson, Michael H. (chair)
  • Siapas, Athanassios G.
  • Elowitz, Michael B.
  • Lubenov, Evgueniy V.
Defense Date:12 May 2016
Non-Caltech Author Email:tavoriosgus (AT) gmail.com
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:05172016-133516099
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05172016-133516099
DOI:10.7907/Z9BG2M0B
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Rios, Gustavo0000-0003-1411-4933
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:9724
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Gustavo Rios
Deposited On:09 Mar 2017 18:05
Last Modified:04 Oct 2019 00:13

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