Biomaterials Selection for Neuroprosthetics Publisher



Zarrintaj P¹ ; Saeb MR² ; Ramakrishna S³ ; Mozafari M^{4, 5, 6}
Source: Current Opinion in Biomedical Engineering Published:2018

Abstract

Born from a combination of neuroscience and biomedical engineering strategies, neuroprosthetics are proposed as substitutes for sensory or cognitive modality damages caused by an injury or a disease. These implantable devices are able to significantly improve the quality of life due to their unique performance. The place in which a prosthesis is implanted determines its material type and fabrication method. The combination of biomedical engineering and neural prosthetics has led to emerging novel hybrid biomaterials that fulfill the needs for ideal neuroprosthetics. For instance, metals alone, because of modulus discrepancy with soft tissues could result in inflammation. Metal-polymer hybrids are able to decline the disparity between soft tissues and electrodes in which the polymeric part can regulate the metal modulus. Moreover, for various types of signals recording, different type of electrodes should be selected. Therefore, biomaterials selection for neuroprosthetics is of vital importance and requires hybridization of the knowledge about the electrode implantation site and material characteristics. This review article summarizes various types of biomaterials that can meet the basic needs for the development of efficient neural prostheses. © 2018 Elsevier Inc.