UG3NS125487

Directional and Scalable (DISC) Microelectrode Array for Speech Decoding - Abstract

Currently, the brain-computer interface (BCI) field has demonstrated two distinct device strategies - macroelectrodes (e.g., surface grids and depth) versus microelectrode arrays, and some are even pushing the field to smaller, higher density arrays hoping to address the general signal degradation. Both approaches have been in development for decades.

However, BCI devices to treat aphasia, dysarthria, or locked-in syndrome also need to access deeper brain regions given the very large, parallel networks involved in speech. Consider that two-thirds of the cortex is buried beyond the reach of most state-of-the-art technologies.

We have designed a novel approach to brain recordings to address the challenge of multi-scale recordings at any desired depth. Our team presents a novel device whose form is based on the proven safety and utility of the stereo-EEG (SEEG). We created a directional and scalable local field potential array (DISC) using the phenomenon of "substrate shielding". This is not the first combination micro/macro device but is the first to demonstrate stereo-local field potentials using a patent-pending design.

Our preliminary in vivo data demonstrates significant improvement when using DISC in many critical factors predictive of future BCI performance: (i) signal amplitude, (ii) signal-to-noise ratio, and (iii) source separation in classification tasks.

This project will allow us to safely test word decoding performance both offline and online in epilepsy volunteers from speech regions. The project's first aim is to develop a robust DISC hybrid assembly with 128 or more recording channels per implant. Each implanted device will be a commercially available SEEG combined with microelectrodes without any modification to the clinical function of the device. Aim 1 will include verification, validation, biocompatibility, and electrical safety testing. Aim 1 will also include functional and safety studies in animals to complete our effort to provide a safe, reliable system prior to human feasibility studies.

After all milestones are met, including receiving an FDA investigational device exemption, this novel recording system will demonstrate the effect size and variance of word and speech decoding in humans as compared with conventional ring electrodes. Typically, 12-20 depth arrays are used in epileptogenic monitoring and we will replace two depth electrodes with a DISC hybrid assembly in 8 experimental patients and compare decoding performance to the within-patient controls and with a separate 8 patients having SEEG electrodes only. Enrolled volunteers will conduct overt and covert speech tasks.

Positive results will inform and enable a word and speech decoder for persons suffering from locked-in syndrome and eventually non-fluent aphasia.

University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston

(1) TO SUPPORT EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) INCLUDING: BASIC RESEARCH THAT EXPLORES THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE BRAIN AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING THESE DISORDERS, RESEARCH ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, IMPROVED METHODS OF DISEASE PREVENTION, NEW METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, DRUG DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF NEURAL DEVICES, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. THE INSTITUTE IS THE LARGEST FUNDER OF BASIC NEUROSCIENCE IN THE US AND SUPPORTS RESEARCH ON TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING NEUROGENESIS AND PROGENITOR CELL BIOLOGY, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION IN DEVELOPMENT AND PLASTICITY, AND PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH, SYNAPSE FORMATION, FUNCTION, AND PLASTICITY, LEARNING AND MEMORY, CHANNELS, TRANSPORTERS, AND PUMPS, CIRCUIT FORMATION AND MODULATION, BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, SENSORIMOTOR LEARNING, INTEGRATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS, SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, AND SENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES ON A NUMBER OF DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO): STROKE, TRAUMATIC INJURY TO THE BRAIN, SPINAL CORD AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS, MOVEMENT DISORDERS, BRAIN TUMORS, CONVULSIVE DISORDERS, INFECTIOUS DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, IMMUNE DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, DISORDERS RELATED TO SLEEP, AND PAIN. PROGRAMMATIC AREAS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF NEUROSCIENCE, ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES, THE DIVISION OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH, THE DIVISION OF CLINICAL RESEARCH, THE OFFICE OF TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE OFFICE OF PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE NEUROSCIENCE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES. (2) TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. TO UTILIZE THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM, TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.372 - 21st Century Cures Act - Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NNDS) [HHS - NIH]

Houston, Texas 77030 United States

Single Zip Code

BRAIN Initiative: Next-Generation Invasive Devices for Recording and Modulation in the Human Central Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-NS-21-023)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 01/31/26 to 01/31/27 and the total obligations have increased 104% from $1,598,687 to $3,269,286.