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Optimization of micro-coil arrays for precise stimulation of visual cortex

Award Number: R01EY029022
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2018
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2024

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Optimization of micro-coil arrays for precise stimulation of visual cortex - Project Summary Electrical stimulation of primary visual cortex (V1) via implanted microelectrode arrays has been proposed as a means to restore vision to those suffering from a wide range of visual impairments. Despite some initial clinical success, systematic advances have been limited by an inability of such devices to selectively target specific neuronal sub-populations as well as by the foreign body responses and other reactions that can compromise the long-term efficacy of implants. Our goal here is to enhance the efficacy and the reliability of cortical implants by developing a micro-coil array for intracortical magnetic stimulation. Coil-based magnetic stimulation has several important advantages when compared to electrode-based electric stimulation. First, the electric fields induced by the coils are spatially asymmetric and can therefore be used to selectively activate vertical pyramidal neurons in the cortex without also activating the horizontal passing axons of other cortical areas, thereby enhancing the spatial resolution of cortical stimulation. Second, the magnetic fields arising from the coils have high permeability to any biological tissue and so they can pass readily through the high impedance glial scarring that encapsulates cortical implants and thus continue to reliably induce electric fields in the targeted area. Third, the micro-coil array can be made more reliable by hermetically sealing the entire device with dielectric coatings so that it will not be plagued by the device degradation caused by water infiltration through the weak bonding between the exposed electrode and the dielectric coating and/or delamination of the thin metal electrode from the substrate during chronic stimulation. Thus, the coil-based approach provides a more effective and more reliable approach for neural stimulation with cortical prostheses. The aims of this proposal are to further enhance the efficacy and reliability of visual prosthetics by optimizing the design of a micro-coil array, developing more effective stimulation strategies, and establishing efficacy in mice that are blind due to retinal degeneration (rd10).


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2022	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Vision Research	000	5	8/16/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2023	2022	THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Vision Research	000	5	1/30/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $407,124 )
2022	2022	MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL, THE	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Vision Research	000	5	1/20/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$407,124
														Subtotal = $407,124

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $407,124 )
2021	2021	MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL, THE	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Vision Research	000	4	3/2/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$407,124
														Subtotal = $407,124

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $419,716 )
2020	2020	MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL, THE	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Vision Research	000	3	1/17/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$419,716
														Subtotal = $419,716

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $419,716 )
2019	2019	MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL, THE	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Vision Research	000	2	2/14/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$419,716
														Subtotal = $419,716

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $419,716 )
2018	2018	MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL, THE	55 FRUIT ST	BOSTON	MA	02114	SUFFOLK	USA	Vision Research	000	1	3/23/2018	NEW	$419,716
														Subtotal = $419,716

Grand Total All Awards = $2,073,396

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Optimization of micro-coil arrays for precise stimulation of visual cortex

Award Number: R01EY029022

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2018

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2024

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