Carmen Bartic
Bioelectronic Systems
in vivo implantable platforms
imec
Prof. Dr. Carmen Bartic – carmen.bartic@imec.be
Dr. Wolfgang Eberle – wolfgang.eberle@imec.be
Science, relevant to NERF
Our group develops bio-electronic hybrid systems allowing a bi-directional signal exchange between electrogenic cells and electronic devices. Starting from electrical signalling, ultimately, we aim at multi-modal interaction with neurons. Possible applications of our technologies include in vivo pharmacology, finding of new therapy targets for neurological disorders and neurosurgery, as well as basic neuroscience.
Figure 1. (A) IMEC’s Si-based neuroprobe assembly for in vivo recording and stimulation with an overlay of simulated electrical field strength based on finite-element modeling; (B) platform perspective from neurons over biochemical and topological coupling, transducer, mixed-signal read-out/drive electronics, and physical signal processing; (C) IrOx coatings of a 50-um stimulation electrode.
Our activities:
- Design, fabrication and packaging of implantable rigid and semi-flexible probes for spatially and temporally selective bi-directional interaction with brain tissue (electrical, chemical, optical) using CMOS-compatible processes and additional post-processing using biocompatible transducer and barrier materials
- Experimental characterization, modeling, and simulation of relevant active and passive probe (mechanical, electrochemical) and electrode (electrochemical) properties
- Design of discrete and integrated mixed-signal transducer read-out and driver electronics enabling multi-modal simultaneous multi-contact stimulation and recording
- Evaluation of biocompatibility and compliance with other inspection methods (e.g. MRI)
- Integration with in vivo electrophysiological set-ups and signal post-processing software and integration into miniaturized wireless and wired microsystems
Potential interactions with NERF
With our unique knowhow and extensive infrastructure in microfabrication and nanotechnologies as well as multidisciplinary expertise in biosensors and bio-electronic interfacing, we aim to become the main technology provider for NERF. Our devices and technologies will provide the way to probe and control the nervous system at the level of a single cell and single synapse.
Figure 2. (A) Extracted and sorted spikes from IrOx electrode recordings in rat motor cortex; (B) Stained insertion path of neural probe in cortical tissue.
Selected publications
- S. Musa, W. Eberle, C. Bartic, G. Borghs, ‚In vivo electrochemical characterization of a microfabricated neuroprobe,’ Proc. IEEE EMBS, Minneapolis, USA, 2009
- W. Hasenkamp, S. Musa, A. Andrei, W. Eberle, C. Bartic, ‚Electrodeposition and characterization of IrOx as electrode material for neural recording and stimulation,’ Proc. World Congress, Munich, Germany, 2009
- D. Prodanov, M. Welkenhuysen, S. Musa, W. Eberle, T. Dresselaers, U. Himmelreich, C. Bartic, G. Borghs, B. Nuttin, ‚Functional evaluation of a micro-fabricated planar multielectrode probe for in vivo neuronal recording,’ Proc. World Congress, Munich, Germany, 2009
A. S. Mecheri, W. Eberle, C. Bartic, G. Gielen, ‘Modeling the impact of local and distant electrode configuration on the stimulation pattern in um-size neural probes,’ Proc. IEEE NER, Antalya, Turkey, 2009
- T. Nguyen, W. Eberle, S. Musa, C. Bartic, ‚A hybrid stimulation artifact reduction scheme for micro-fabricated DBS probes,’ Proc. IFESS, Freiburg, Germany, 2009
More info on: http://www2.imec.be/imec_com/brain-computer-interfaces.php
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