| Development of new biomaterials for neural implants has been a significant area of research and development for the academic and industrial communities. Our overall goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of a neuroprosthesis interfaced with the cerebral cortex. To achieve this goal we have used high resolution magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the biocompatibility of sapphire and borosilicate glass implanted onto the brain. Due to its excellent mechanical, optical, electrical and chemical properties, sapphire has found tremendous application potentials in medical and biomedical devices. To date, there has not been much research on the use of sapphire based medical devices in neural systems (central or peripheral).; The neurocompatibility of pure sapphire (n=3) and borosilicate glass (n=3) samples (2.5mm dia. x 0.25mm thickness) implanted on the surface of adult rat cortex for 10 and 28 days was evaluated. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
