Custom-fit radiolucent cranial implants for neurophysiological recording and stimulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recording and manipulating neural activity in awake behaving animal models requires long-term implantation of cranial implants that must address a variety of design considerations, which include preventing infection, minimizing tissue damage, mechanical strength of the implant, and MRI compatibility.

New method

Here we address these issues by designing legless, custom-fit cranial implants using structural MRI-based reconstruction of the skull and that are made from carbon-reinforced PEEK.

Results

We report several novel custom-fit radiolucent implant designs, which include a legless recording chamber, a legless stimulation chamber, a multi-channel microdrive and a head post. The fit to the skull was excellent in all cases, with no visible gaps between the b

SUBMITTER: Mulliken GH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4323951 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature