# Designing low-cost, customizable high-density probes for acute and chronic neural recordings in rodents

> **NIH NIH R44** · NEURAL DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGIES INC. · 2022 · $922,495

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Understanding how the brain controls behavior requires studying the dynamic activity of different
types of neurons in distributed neural circuits in awake behaving animals. Currently, there are few
technologies available however that allow researchers to record the activity of hundreds to
thousands of neurons at arbitrary depth in the brains of awake, behaving animals. While there
has been much recent progress in the development of high-density micro-fabricated silicon
probes, current commercially available probes offer little to no customizability to the morphology
of different brain regions and different cell types within brain regions. Even more importantly, there
are no commercially available solutions of high-density probes with integrated stimulation
capabilities enabling causal, closed-loop experimentation. In Phase I, we designed and fabricated
customizable high-density recording probes for acute head-fixed recordings and streamlined our
fabrication strategies. The resulting devices had high yields of functional electrode sites and were
successfully used by beta-tester labs to generate data with good signal-to-noise ratios. We
furthermore built an online graphical interface where end-users can design their probes and
submit their designs for fabrication. In Phase II, Neural Dynamics Technologies LLC will develop
customizable, high-density probes with integrated closed-loop capabilities that can be chronically
implanted for use in animals that are either head-fixed or able to move around freely. The first aim
of our Phase II proposal is to integrate light delivery and electrical stimulation capabilities onto our
probes to enable closed-loop experimentation. The locations for light delivery and electrical
stimulation will be customizable so that customers can specify their desired location. The second
aim will be to develop a packaging approach that involves building an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC) and a head-stage that can control all integrated functionalities. The
combined packaged device will be small enough to enable chronic experiments in either head-
fixed or freely moving animals. The third aim will be to perform both bench-top testing and in vivo
animal testing of devices to establish basic functionality and effectiveness of the devices. In
summary, NDT will design innovative closed-loop interfaces that will enable causal studies
addressing the functional role of different brain regions and neuron types in the brains of both
head-fixed and freely moving animals. These types of closed-loop devices may be further evolved
into neural implants to treat neurological diseases such as refractory epilepsy, Parkinson’s and
other tremor disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10475832
- **Project number:** 5R44MH118155-03
- **Recipient organization:** NEURAL DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Ingrid van Welie
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $922,495
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-18 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10475832

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10475832, Designing low-cost, customizable high-density probes for acute and chronic neural recordings in rodents (5R44MH118155-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10475832. Licensed CC0.

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