FLEXIBLE NEURAL INTERFACES FOR RECORDING AND STIMULATION OF PERIPHERAL AND VISCERAL NERVES

Abstract

Modulation of nerve signals using neural implants has recently been recognized as a potentially powerful way to control neuroprostheses and modulate bodily conditions. Depending on the application, the ability to record and stimulate nerve signals may be required. However, the ability of general purpose neural interface to reliably and selectively record and stimulate nerves across a range of dimensions has not been reported yet, although such a neural interface will greatly pave the way for enabling neuromodulation. In this thesis, various designs of epineural interfaces fabricated by soft materials are investigated for recording and stimulation of peripheral and visceral nerves in rats. Furthermore, advanced neural interfaces such as battery-free and wireless platforms are demonstrated. Finally, wireless pelvic nerve stimulation using the proposed interfaces is demonstrated for remote modulation of bladder functions. Our results indicate that the proposed designs show promising possibility of advanced neural interfaces for neuromodulation in the future.