Contract Management Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Neuroscience Center, Suite 3287, 6001 Executive Blvd., MSC 9531, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9531

A -- THIN-FILM INTRACORTICAL RECORDING MICROELECTRODES SOL NIN-NINDS-00-02 POC Contact Point: Laurie A. Leonard, 301/496-1813; Contracting Officer: Kirkland L. Davis, 301/496-1813 The Repair and Plasticity Cluster of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, is committed to research and development of chronic recording of single unit activity from large numbers of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) for long-term multielectrode connections with neurons for prosthetic control signals. The NINDS is supporting the development of a chronic, multichannel microelectrode recording array capable of recording from up to 64 sites on 16 parallel penetrating shanks. Eight of these recording arrays can also be assembled into a 3-dimensional structure to provide 512 microelectrode recording sites. In past development, multiple microelectrode recording sites have been fabricated on shanks as small as 60 microns wide and 15 microns thick. Amplifiers integrated into the silicon microelectrodes have successfully amplified and buffered single and multiple unit extracellular neural activity. Additional electronic circuitry that provides selection of recording sites and multiplexing of signals from multiple recording sites has also been integrated into the microelectrodes. The goal of this research will build on these results with the long-term goal of developing a chronic microelectrode array that permits recording of extracellular neural activity from many neurons over decades of use in humans. This project will develop an integrated recording system consisting of an implantable microelectrode array and a cable system to provide a signal and power path between the microelectrode array and the external world. The cable system will be designed to be compatible with human implantation and must not transmit mechanical force to the microelectrode array that would cause it to be displaced in the neural tissue. The research will also develop an implant system that combines a microelectrode array with a telemetry system for transmission of the signals from an implanted array to an extracorporal receiver. Electrode systems will be tested in-vitro and in chronic animals. No human studies are required. Personnel with established expertise in micromachining, bioengineering, integrated circuit design, integrated circuit fabrication, and animal studies will be needed to perform this research. It is anticipated that one award may be made for a period of four years in September 2000. This is not a Request for Proposals (RFP). THE SOLICITATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY ONLY. It will be available at this website (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/cmb) 15 or more calendar days after the issuance of this synopsis. OFFERORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ROUTINELY CHECKING THIS WEBSITE FOR ANY POSSIBLE SOLICITATION AMENDMENTS THAT MAY BE ISSUED. NO INDIVIDUAL NOTIFICATION OF ANY AMENDMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. Refer to numbered Note 26 Posted 11/23/99 (W-SN403114). (0327)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0009 19991126\A-0009.SOL)