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Implantable Neuroprosthetics: Technologies and Techniques
May 12-17, 2008
Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
The CNCT’s Summer course, Implantable Neuroprosthetics: Technologies and Techniques, will cover the design, use, and analysis of microscale neural probes for neural recording and stimulation and associated applications. The course will provide a hands-on, laboratory-based program with two tracks of study: 1. Electrophysiology, focusing on device design, electrophysiological measurements and signal analysis, or 2. Tissue Assessment, focusing on immunohistochemistry, imaging and quantitative tissue analysis. The course will begin with the CNCT Summit Meeting on Chronic Microscale Neural Interfaces, presented by leading researchers in the fields of biomedical engineering, neuroscience, and neurology. The course itself will continue for an additional five days of directed hands-on study.
The specific aims of the course are
- To familiarize participants with best practices for the handling and insertion of microfabricated neuroprosthetic devices. All participants will learn surgical procedures for insertion of chronic devices
- To provide hands-on experience in methods for impedance measurements, neural recording, and stimulation – (Electrophysiology Track)
- To provide hands-on experience in methods for tissue preparation, confocal microscopy imaging, and image analysis – (Tissue Assessment Track)
- To provide a common set of methods and standard operating procedures for device use, and benchmarks for evaluation of device performance
Course Information
- The 2008 CNCT summer course will be offered May 12-17, 2008.
- Training will take place in a state-of-the-art teaching lab at the University of Michigan, with instructors from the Wadsworth Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, Purdue University, and NeuroNexus Technologies.
- The cost for the six-day course is $1,500, including tuition, laboratory supplies, on-campus housing, and some meals.
- Application deadline: March 14, 2008. All supporting documentation is due no later than March 14, 2008. Apply online at http://cnct.engin.umich.edu/Registration.aspx
About the CNCT
Microscale implantable neuroprosthetic devices provide a means for long-term recording and stimulation of the CNS. The utility of these devices for acute studies is well established; however, their use in chronic studies is hindered by time-dependent performance losses. The mission of the CNCT is to develop and provide microscale implantable devices that offer long-term, high-fidelity interfaces to the nervous system. The Center provides training to collaborators and the research community at large aimed at maximizing proficiency in the use of these devices, monitoring device performance, and assessing tissue reaction.
Comments from participants in the 2007 Summer Course:
“I expected to learn more about neuroscience in general …my expectations were met and exceeded. I enjoyed every part of the workshop.”
“Tissue assessment – expected to learn techniques employed by the typical lab. Instead I learned how the best tissue preparation and assessment in the field is done from the people who developed and refined the techniques themselves. Really excellent, expectations were greatly exceeded. Meeting other researchers was fantastic. “
“My expectations were blown away.”
“This course would be invaluable to any 1st year grad student. After a half-hour of any discussion here you would have enough experiments for a dissertation.”
“Designing a whole experiment on the fly was a great experience.”
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