# Nest#1-High density Interconnect with Variable Electronics (HIVE)

> **NIH NIH U41** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $871,340

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The Networked Neural Prosthesis (NNP), which forms the basis of the COSMIIC library, is already in use in
people with spinal cord injuries and provides a range of recording and stimulation capabilities. Implanting
multiple modules at the same time enables 10+ channel operation. However, many applications simply require
higher channel count modules for when there is a multichannel electrode array in one location (e.g. Utah
arrays, ECoG style cardiac electrodes, multicontact C-FINE nerve cuffs, spinal paddle electrodes, etc.). The
goal of this NEST, entitled High-density Interconnects with Variable Electronics or “HIVE”, is to design a high
channel count general purpose device for both recording and stimulation. Our team has the unique expertise to
complete this task. The existing NNP provides a great deal of reusable circuitry, and the Chestek Lab has
already designed a 96-channel NNP recording module that is in use in weekly monkey experiments. Medical
device packaging and validation testing experts Drs. Doug Shire and Janet Gbur, meanwhile, have developed
world-leading high-density hermetic packaging for visual prosthetics and Nano-Jet aerosol-3D printed
connector/lead assemblies. We will achieve our goal in the following three specific aims: Aim 1) Create and
validate an electronics module for 64 channel recording. We will design and validate modular circuitry for
64-channel recording, based on our previous published NNP module (Bullard et al. 2019) using microchips
from Intan Technologies. Aim 2) Create and validate a general purpose 64-channel package. We will
create a general purpose 64-channel package compatible with the NNP network, only slightly larger than
existing modules. We will achieve this by using multiple commercial off the shelf 8 channel feedthroughs within
the same welded titanium package. This package will be usable with hardwired connections, and we will also
develop a novel connector system for up to 64 channels. Aim 3) Create and validate a module for 32
channel stimulation and recording. There are many applications that would benefit from higher channel
count stimulation as well as simultaneous recording and stimulation on the same electrodes. Therefore, we will
design and validate modular circuitry for a 32-channel bidirectional module. After we are done, there will be a
catalog of high channel count implantable device components that can be adopted in whole or in part by
academic users or even startup medical companies looking for an initial foothold for a new application. These
designs will be fully documented, including the supply chain, with the verification and validation tests results
and design files provided publicly online.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10918154
- **Project number:** 5U41NS129436-03
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Cynthia Anne Chestek
- **Activity code:** U41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $871,340
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-10 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10918154

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10918154, Nest#1-High density Interconnect with Variable Electronics (HIVE) (5U41NS129436-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10918154. Licensed CC0.

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