# HORNET  Center for Autonomic Nerve Recording and Stimulation Systems (CARSS)

> **NIH NIH U41** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2023 · $719,821

## Abstract

Physical and chemical sensing enables detection of functional states of individual end organs for state-
dependent neuromodulation. NEST 5 focuses on developing robust sensors for temperature, motility, pH,
acetylcholine, and catecholamines, and performing extensive benchtop testing to ensure reliable in vivo
performance for end organ sensing.
 Proper functioning of end-organs is dependent on the local organ temperature. Therefore, accurate, in vivo
temperature sensing of end organs can provide valuable information on their functional states. We will develop
micropatterned platinum thin film-based resistive temperature sensors encapsulated in Parylene C for in vivo
temperature sensing.
 Motility of certain end organs is associated with their functional states such as esophagus expansion and
sphincter contraction. We will develop resistive and capacitive strain sensors encapsulated in Parylene C or
polyurethane for motility sensing of target end organs. We will conformally coat commercial bend sensors with
Parylene C as encapsulation and suture them in a pre-bent configuration to convert contraction and expansion
to bending deformations. In parallel, we will conformally coat a commercial stretchable capacitive sensor with
polyurethane as stretchable encapsulation.
 Acetylcholine functions both as a neuromuscular transmitter and neuromodulator, and is found in the central
and peripheral neurons, in target organs of the parasympathetic nervous systems. NEST 5 develops
electrochemical acetylcholine sensor using an enzyme-free sensing membrane doped with an organic and stable
receptor. We will integrate the sensing membrane in a Parylene-C based platinum microarray. The end-organ
electrochemical sensing of pH can be used for detecting functional states of individual end organs for enabling
state-dependent neuromodulation. We will develop a platinum microarray on a Parylene substrate and
electrodeposit iridium oxide as the active pH sensing material.
 The end-organ electrochemical sensing of catecholamines, and norepinephrine (NE) in particular, can be
used for detecting the efficacy of autonomic neuromodulation on restoring the sympathetic-parasympathetic
balance, as well as functional or disease states in organs and the body. We will develop a platinum microarray
on a Parylene substrate and detecting catecholamines using the established methodology of fast scan cyclic
voltammetry. Extensive thermally accelerated benchtop testing will be performed in saline for all sensing
modules to de-risk the technology for long-term end organ sensing. Electrochemical sensing modules will be
tested pooled serum media (in addition to saline solutions) for evaluation of sensor biofouling.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10706622
- **Project number:** 5U41NS129514-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Maral Mousavi
- **Activity code:** U41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $719,821
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-23 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10706622

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10706622, HORNET  Center for Autonomic Nerve Recording and Stimulation Systems (CARSS) (5U41NS129514-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10706622. Licensed CC0.

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