A chronically implantable neural device for on-demand microdosing of deep brain structures

Abstract

Chronic neuropsychiatric diseases are increasingly consuming a larger portion of healthcare costs, in part due to a lack of effective treatment techniques. Through research into the pathology of these diseases we now know that most of these disorders are due to a loss in synchrony in a specific neural network. Effective treatments must seek to attenuate these network dynamics to establish normal neural communication. However, current treatments lack the spatiotemporal resolution to target networks with such specificity. The 'Injectrode' device developed here is a dual-lumen brain probe that is chronically implanted with wirelessly programmable micropumps for drug delivery on-demand. We establish the functionality of the system for repeated delivery of down to a few nanoliters of drug on-demand in vitro and in vivo, and show its biocompatibility over a 2-month implantation. This provides the foundation for testing of the system in a disease model, as well as the incorporation of additional features such as a recording or stimulating electrode. Combined with these tools, the injectrode system could serve as a closed loop device, delivering drug only when needed, ultimately allowing for efficacious independent disease management for chronic disorders.