# A robotic fiber platform for large area deep brain interfacing

> **NIH NIH R21** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 2022 · $223,954

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Understanding the functional network in the brain is critical to the development of neural
prostheses and effective treatment of neurological diseases. To that end, highly multiplexed and
miniaturized probes have been developed to modulate and record neural activities in the brain.
However, it remains a challenge to map the activities over a large area in the deep brain with
minimal invasiveness. This proposal will leverage the advantages of two emerging technologies
– multimaterial fiber-based neural interfaces developed by the PI (Dr. Jia) and robotic origami
developed by the PI (Dr. Cohen), with the goal of establishing a robotic fiber platform for minimally
invasive, large area deep brain interfacing across mm length scales. Specifically, we propose to
develop origami inspired mechanically actuating probes that can be interfaced with the inserted
fiber electrodes, introduced into the brain in a compact form, and deployed to cover a footprint
that is an order of magnitude larger than the fiber diameter. Once deployed, these probes will
make neural recordings that are transmitted through the fiber. Two specific aims will be pursued
in this work. In Aim 1, we will design and optimize robotic fibers as a deep brain interface.
Specifically, we will develop an integrated fiber with mechanically actuating electrodes that inserts
into elastic media in a compact form, deploys within the media to cover mm scale lateral areas,
and makes recordings over mm scale lateral separations. In Aim 2, we will evaluate the
performance of robotic fibers in deep brain large area recording and the biocompatibility of robotic
fibers. We will deploy robotic fiber probes into the hippocampus region of a mouse brain to make
in vivo recordings of endogenous neural activities across mm scale brain regions. We will also
evaluate the tissue response of the robotic fiber probes using immunohistochemistry. These large
area recordings at various depths will open the door to recording correlations in firing patterns of
laterally organized neurons within a mammalian brain, and pave the way for new therapeutic
strategies for treating neurological diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10463747
- **Project number:** 5R21EY033080-02
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Itai Cohen
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $223,954
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10463747

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10463747, A robotic fiber platform for large area deep brain interfacing (5R21EY033080-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10463747. Licensed CC0.

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