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Optimization of drug-eluting coating on neural implant
The aim of this work is to improve the functionality of long-term electronic implants via polymer-based controlled drug release.
Keywords: neuroscience, biomaterials, implant, multielectrode array, bioelectronics, drug release, foreign body response
Keywords: neuroscience, biomaterials, implant, multielectrode array, bioelectronics, drug release, foreign body response
Engineering a functional and stable interface between the nervous system and implantable electronic devices will be a powerful tool towards long-term targeting of the nervous system in diseased states. The goal for most therapeutic neuro-electronic interfaces is to have a controlled closed-loop system, where real-time feedback from electrical recordings regulates when and to what degree therapeutic stimulation is administered to the target neural tissue. Thus, it is critical that the electrodes remain in close contact with the neural tissues to avoid any loss of signal. A major problem that remains unsolved is how to prevent the inflammatory foreign body response towards an implant. Encapsulation of an implant greatly decreases the long-term recording capabilities of electrodes. Additionally, the inflammatory environment can promote cell death. Ongoing research seeks to minimize the foreign body response with the optimization and design of bulk materials and material coatings of implants. While devices are typically made from hard, rigid materials, our lab has developed stretchable, soft electronic devices that can effectively reduce tissue damage during and after implantation due to the decrease in mechanical mismatch between implant and soft tissue. The challenge now is to improve the implant further by exploring the use of different functionalized surface coatings. We predict that we can minimize foreign body response by coating the implant surface with a bioresorbable polymer coating that releases a specific anti-inflammatory drug. Conveniently, this drug has also been shown to act as a neuroprotective agent, increasing the probability the surrounding neural tissue will recover after implantation.
Keywords: neuroscience, biomaterials, implant, multielectrode array, bioelectronics, drug release, foreign body response
Engineering a functional and stable interface between the nervous system and implantable electronic devices will be a powerful tool towards long-term targeting of the nervous system in diseased states. The goal for most therapeutic neuro-electronic interfaces is to have a controlled closed-loop system, where real-time feedback from electrical recordings regulates when and to what degree therapeutic stimulation is administered to the target neural tissue. Thus, it is critical that the electrodes remain in close contact with the neural tissues to avoid any loss of signal. A major problem that remains unsolved is how to prevent the inflammatory foreign body response towards an implant. Encapsulation of an implant greatly decreases the long-term recording capabilities of electrodes. Additionally, the inflammatory environment can promote cell death. Ongoing research seeks to minimize the foreign body response with the optimization and design of bulk materials and material coatings of implants. While devices are typically made from hard, rigid materials, our lab has developed stretchable, soft electronic devices that can effectively reduce tissue damage during and after implantation due to the decrease in mechanical mismatch between implant and soft tissue. The challenge now is to improve the implant further by exploring the use of different functionalized surface coatings. We predict that we can minimize foreign body response by coating the implant surface with a bioresorbable polymer coating that releases a specific anti-inflammatory drug. Conveniently, this drug has also been shown to act as a neuroprotective agent, increasing the probability the surrounding neural tissue will recover after implantation.
All work is in the preliminary stage and open to flexibility based on the student's interests.
The initial aims of the project would thus be the following:
- Adapt the drug-eluting polymer coating for application to soft neuro-electronic implants by optimizing the polymer properties and the method of polymer deposition onto the implant
- Characterize the drug-eluting properties of the bioresorbable polymer to match those in the literature
- Explore the possibility of combining with other common surface modifications, such as non-fouling coatings
- Test the effect of the drug-eluting device on a neuron and fibroblast co-culture and/or a neuron and astrocyte co-culture (only simple culturing techniques necessary)
- Review the literature relevant to neural implants, foreign body response, biomaterials for implants, drug-eluting devices, surface chemistry of implant bulk material and coatings
- Write a detailed final report of the project
All work is in the preliminary stage and open to flexibility based on the student's interests.
The initial aims of the project would thus be the following: - Adapt the drug-eluting polymer coating for application to soft neuro-electronic implants by optimizing the polymer properties and the method of polymer deposition onto the implant - Characterize the drug-eluting properties of the bioresorbable polymer to match those in the literature - Explore the possibility of combining with other common surface modifications, such as non-fouling coatings - Test the effect of the drug-eluting device on a neuron and fibroblast co-culture and/or a neuron and astrocyte co-culture (only simple culturing techniques necessary) - Review the literature relevant to neural implants, foreign body response, biomaterials for implants, drug-eluting devices, surface chemistry of implant bulk material and coatings - Write a detailed final report of the project
Contact me at thompson@biomed.ee.ethz.ch to apply or for further information.
Please state your motivation to work on this project and include your CV and/or relevant practical experiences.
Contact me at thompson@biomed.ee.ethz.ch to apply or for further information. Please state your motivation to work on this project and include your CV and/or relevant practical experiences.