MICROMACHINED STIMULATING ELECTRODES

NIH GUIDE, Volume 24, Number 1, January 13, 1995



RFP AVAILABLE:  NIH-NINDS-95-10



P.T. 34



Keywords:

  Prosthetic Device, Neural 

  Neural Stimulation 

  Biomaterials 

  0740027 



National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke



The Neural Prosthesis Program of the National Institute of

Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of

Health (NIH), has a requirement for developing safe and effective

methods of selective electrical stimulation of the nervous system for

restoration of function in neurologically impaired individuals.  Many

potential neural prostheses, require electrodes that are small enough

to permit small clusters of neurons to be independently stimulated.

This project involves research and development on thin-film

microelectrodes capable of stimulating such small numbers of cells.

Specifically, these microelectrodes will be designed to provide

intracortical microstimulation at multiple sites in the visual cortex

for visual prostheses and in the spinal cord for future bladder,

sexual function, and motor prostheses.  Expertise in materials

science, micromachining, integrated circuit design, and

bioengineering will be needed to perform this research.  No animal or

human testing is required.  The proposed research project will

include: (1) developing a thin-film electrical insulating layer and a

compatible thin-film conductor material for making low-resistance

electrically conductive traces on stimulating probes; (2) designing

passive, thin-film stimulating microelectrode arrays suitable for

stimulation in the CNS; (3) designing and fabricating biocompatible,

implantable probes that include active electronic multiplexing and

stimulus driving circuitry for the purpose of reducing the number of

interconnecting leads on a probe; and (4) designing and fabricating a

3 dimensional array of at least 8 probes, each with 16 shanks.  It is

anticipated that one award will made for a period of 38 months.

Award is anticipated for September 1995.



INQUIRIES



This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP).  The RFP will be issued on

or about January 19, 1995 with proposals due on or about March 20,

1995.  All responsible sources may submit a proposal that will be

considered by the agency.  To receive a copy of the RFP, submit a

written request along with two self-addressed mailing labels to:



Contracting Officer

Division of Extramural Activities

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

7550 Wisconsin Avenue, Room 901 - MSC 9190

Bethesda, MD  20892

ATTN:  RFP No. NIH-NINDS-95-10



.


Return to 1995 Index

Return to NIH Guide Main Index


Office of Extramural Research (OER) - Home Page Office of Extramural
Research (OER)
  National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Home Page National Institutes of Health (NIH)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
  Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Home Page Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)
  USA.gov - Government Made Easy


Note: For help accessing PDF, RTF, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Audio or Video files, see Help Downloading Files.