Investigating the Brain and the Peripheral Nervous System

Neurotechnological devices such as electrodes or comprehensive systems for recording and stimulation enable interactions with the brain and the nervous system. In this way neurotechnology helps to gain deeper insights into their functioning and to explore potential therapeutic applications.

Recent research employing – amongst other technologies – the high-resolution °AirRay Grid Electrodes has already shown that the functional organization of the cerebral cortex is much more finely structured than findings based on previous technologies had suggested (Wang et al., 2017; Gierthmuehlen et al., 2014). Knowledge about what brain areas are involved in which body functions is for instance essential for planning surgical procedures on the brain.

Promising results have been provided by the young research field of bioelectronic medicine (link to application Bioelectronic Medicine). In this approach researchers attempt to treat diseases as close as possible to the point of origin by directly interacting with individual nerves with the aid of nerve cuff electrodes like °AirRay Cuff Electrodes.

Closed-loop interactions with the brain have already been tested successfully using for example the CorTec Brain Interchange system (Kohler et al., 2017). Studies based on other technologies have also shown that closed-loop interactions can alter the interconnections of the brain (e.g., Zanos et al., 2018). This can for instance be exploited for restoring body functions after damage to the nervous system (e.g., Ganzer et al., 2018).

CorTec’s °AirRay Grid Electrodes offer novel options for recording and stimulating electrical activity of larger parts of the brain without invading the sensitive brain tissue. The electrode contacts are placed on the surface of the brain tissue and enable communication with the underlying local groups of nerve cells.

The product variant of °AirRay Micro Cuff Electrodes is specially designed to enclose nerves without applying mechanical pressure to them. The electrodes can be used for recording, stimulating as well as for blocking nerves, and thus extend research options to gentle interactions with the peripheral nervous system. At the same time this technology opens up new possibilities for therapeutic applications in the field of bioelectronic medicine.

CorTec’s °AirRay Electrode technology allows manufacturing electrodes with a high density of contacts and in individualized and miniaturized arrangements. This enables investigating neuronal functions in a much more accurate way than with previous electrodes.

Combining the °AirRay Electrodes with the Brain Interchange system offers new possibilities to explore brain-computer interfaces for future clinical applications, e.g. as assistive systems for paralyzed people.

Furthermore, the system can be used to investigate and develop long-term closed-loop interactions with the nervous system: The technology is capable of reacting to the individual physiological condition of the patient adapting its activities to this at any time. These features can be beneficial for a variety of therapies such as for Parkinson’s disease or for epilepsy intervention.