January 2013
Spotlight Summary by Robert J. Zawadzki
A 3D glass optrode array for optical neural stimulation
The ability to effectively deliver optical stimulation into deep tissue targets with sufficient spatio-temporal resolution is a prerequisite for successful translation of many exciting novel optical methods from optical bench to real world applications. In this paper Abaya, Blair et al. present a novel silicon glass optrode array design for optogenetic and infrared (IR) neural stimulation that promises to breach that gap. Besides presenting and demonstrating this system’s robustness for insertion into tissue, the authors also provide a detailed description of their fabrication process, and demonstrate and validate their theory predicting optical loses in this compact light delivery system.
The presented 3D glass array has 10×10 up to 2 mm long optrodes at a 400µm pitch and has high efficiency and control of light delivery. What’s more important, the authors point out that their fabrication process allows alteration in array size, length and spacing along with the width and tip angle, making it an ideal candidate for future customization. These features make this system an ideal tool for exploring new applications for frontiers in light-tissue interactions.
In summary, the presented first-generation of optrode arrays should become a new standard for the efficient and precise delivery of optical signal for spatio-temporal deep tissue stimulation.
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The presented 3D glass array has 10×10 up to 2 mm long optrodes at a 400µm pitch and has high efficiency and control of light delivery. What’s more important, the authors point out that their fabrication process allows alteration in array size, length and spacing along with the width and tip angle, making it an ideal candidate for future customization. These features make this system an ideal tool for exploring new applications for frontiers in light-tissue interactions.
In summary, the presented first-generation of optrode arrays should become a new standard for the efficient and precise delivery of optical signal for spatio-temporal deep tissue stimulation.
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Article Information
A 3D glass optrode array for optical neural stimulation
T.V.F. Abaya, S. Blair, P. Tathireddy, L. Rieth, and F. Solzbacher
Biomed. Opt. Express 3(12) 3087-3104 (2012) View: Abstract | HTML | PDF