Matrix-addressable, active electrode arrays for neural stimulation using organic semiconductors-cytotoxicity and pilot experiments in vivo.
Organic field effect transistors can be integrated into micromachined polyimide-based neural stimulation electrode arrays in order to build active switching matrices. With this approach, a matrix of N x M electrode contacts requires only N + M interconnects to a stimulator when active switching elements are used instead of N x M interconnects. In this paper, we demonstrated that pentacene-based organic field effect transistors (OFETs) can be used to drive stimulation currents through neural electrodes in a physiological-like environment. In order to prove the general applicability as an implant material, the cytotoxicity of pentacene was evaluated with respect to potential effects on cell viability. The results of these tests indicate that extracts from pentacene inhibit neither proliferation nor metabolism of the tested mouse fibroblasts. However, some effect on cell spreading was observed when cells were in direct contact to pentacene for 48 h. In pilot experiments it was demonstrated for the very first time that pentacene transistors can be used as switching elements, acting as voltage-controlled current sources, capable of driving currents suitable for electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve via a tripolar cuff electrode.
Feili
Dara
D
Department of Mechatronics, Saarland University, D-66123, Saarbruecken, Germany.
Schuettler
Martin
M
Stieglitz
Thomas
T
D000818:Animals; D000963:Antimetabolites; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000009:adverse effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D005347:Fibroblasts; D051379:Mice; D036103:Nanotechnology; D009279:Naphthacenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D012666:Semiconductors / Q000009:adverse effects; D014982:Xenopus laevis; D014992:Xylenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity
D000963:Antimetabolites; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D009279:Naphthacenes; D011108:Polymers; D014992:Xylenes; C011055:parylene; C523499:pentacene; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine