Chip-Scale Integrated Electrophysiology & Electrochemistry Detection and Amplification System

The brain is a complex network of interconnected neurons that communicates through both electric (electrical action potentials) and chemical (neuromodulators and neurotransmitters) means. However, there is a current lack of technologies for the concurrent study of electrical and chemical signals within the brain, leading to an incomplete understanding of its signaling mechanisms. While systems for studying electrical signals with high resolution have improved, chemical signal recording systems suffer from problems such as bulky instrumentation, spatial limitations, and an inability to record both slow and fast signals. Researchers at Purdue University have addressed these limitations by designing a system comprised of a novel probe and processor setup for the simultaneous monitoring of electrochemistry and electrophysiological signals within the brain at high resolution, thus allowing for a more holistic view of neural communication. Ultimately, this new technology can be used to better characterize neural signaling pathways and lead to development of therapeutics to treat disease states.

Advantages

-High temporal resolution

-Low power consumption

-Compact instrumentation

Applications

-Drug development to address complex disease states

-Brain-computer interface technologies

TRL: 2

Intellectual Property:

Keywords: Biomedical Engineering, Electrochemistry, electrophysiology, Instrumentation, Micro & Nanotechnologies, Neural Communication, Neurotransmitters