Abstract: Provided herein is a penetrative intracortical microelectrode array (MEA), comprising a body having a substantially T-shaped cross-sectional area, the body formed from an insulating biocompatible polymer surrounding individually addressable electrode traces connected to individually addressable electrode sites exposed to the exterior of the MEA. The MEA flexible yet is also buckling-resistant and can penetrate brain tissue without requiring secondary assistive methods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a conductive polymer doped with silica nanoparticles. In several embodiments, a coated electrode comprising a coating of the conductive polymer on a conductive surface of the electrode is provided. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles of the conductive polymer are mesoporous and are loaded with a pharmaceutical agent. Methods of using the conductive polymer doped with silica nanoparticles are also provided, including methods of recording or stimulating a bioelectric signal and methods of administering a pharmaceutical agent to a subject.

Abstract: An implantable system includes at least one implantable lead including a biodegradable conductive core, a biodegradable polymeric insulator encompassing at least a portion of a length of the biodegradable conductive core, and at least one electrode on a distal end thereof. The implantable system further includes electronic circuitry operatively connectible to the at least one implantable lead which is configured to provide a controlled electrical signal via the at least one electrode of the at least one implantable lead to tissue to effect treatment (for example, pain treatment).

Abstract: A method of forming a compound having the formula: includes the reaction: n the presence of a base comprising teat-butyl lithium, lithium diisopropylamide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, a potassium alkoxide or a sodium alkoxide to achieve a yield of at least 90%, wherein X is a halo atom selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I.

Abstract: A composition includes at least one polymer doped with graphene oxide to induce conductivity in the polymer and at least one agent immobilized at least one of (i) on graphene oxide extending from the surface of the composite material or (ii) within the composite material.

Abstract: An electrode system include a flowable and cohesive surface contact element comprising a hydrophilic polymer swollen with an electrolyte fluid, the contact element having a Q? ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation Q ? = W W W G wherein WG is the dry weight of the hydrophilic polymer and WW is weight of water in the sample after absorption of the electrolyte fluid comprising water and an electrolyte salt. The surface contact element can consist essentially of the hydrophilic polymer swollen by the electrolyte fluid. Another electrode system includes a contact element including a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer matrix. The contact element has a Q? ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation Q ? = W W W G . The contact elements can also have a Q? ratio of at least 6, at least 7, at least 10 or even at least 11.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining dopamine concentration at a target location in neural tissue. In several embodiments, the method comprises measuring current level in response to square wave voltammetry with a coated electrode of a neural probe implanted at the target location, wherein the coated electrode comprises a coating of poly 3,4 ethylene dioxythiophene (PEDOT) doped with negatively charged carbon nanotubes (CNT), and comparing the measured current level to a control current level to determine the dopamine concentration at the target location.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making and using storage-stable protein-coated articles that retain activity after drying. Also provided herein are kits comprising storage-stable protein-coated articles that retain activity after drying.

Abstract: A method of forming a compound having the formula: includes the reaction: n the presence of a base comprising teat-butyl lithium, lithium diisopropylamide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, a potassium alkoxide or a sodium alkoxide to achieve a yield of at least 90%, wherein X is a halo atom selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I.

Abstract: A method of forming a compound having the formula (I?): (I?) includes the reaction: (II?) in the presence of a base, wherein X is a halo atom selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a conductive polymer doped with silica nanoparticles. In several embodiments, a coated electrode comprising a coating of the conductive polymer on a conductive surface of the electrode is provided. In some embodiments, the silica nanoparticles of the conductive polymer are mesoporous and are loaded with a pharmaceutical agent. Methods of using the conductive polymer doped with silica nanoparticles are also provided, including methods of recording or stimulating a bioelectric signal and methods of administering a pharmaceutical agent to a subject.

Abstract: A composition includes at least one polymer doped with graphene oxide to induce conductivity in the polymer and at least one agent immobilized at least one of (i) on graphene oxide extending from the surface of the composite material or (ii) within the composite material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel amine-functionalized porphyrin compounds, as wells as pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof. The disclosed compounds can be used to impart antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and/or cell-adhesion specificity to a surface or material in need thereof, such as a surface of an indwelling medical implant, or a marine surface.

Abstract: A composition includes a composite material including at least one conducting polymer doped with graphene oxide and at least one agent immobilized at least one of (i) on graphene oxide extending from the surface of the composite material or (ii) within the composite material.

Abstract: A method of forming a compound having the formula (I?): (I?) includes the reaction: (II?) in the presence of a base, wherein X is a halo atom selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining dopamine concentration at a target location in neural tissue. In several embodiments, the method comprises measuring current level in response to square wave voltammetry with a coated electrode of a neural probe implanted at the target location, wherein the coated electrode comprises a coating of poly 3,4 ethylene dioxythiophene (PEDOT) doped with negatively charged carbon nanotubes (CNT), and comparing the measured current level to a control current level to determine the dopamine concentration at the target location.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel amine-functionalized porphyrin compounds, as wells as pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof. The disclosed compounds can be used to impart antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and/or cell-adhesion specificity to a surface or material in need thereof, such as a surface of an indwelling medical implant, or a marine surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for surgeon-assisted rapid surgical implantation of devices into soft tissue. The apparatus comprises several subsystems that enable the referencing of the spatial position and orientation of the device being implanted with respect to the soft tissue into which it is being implanted and then the controlled implantation of the device at a predefined speed with higher positional accuracy and precision and a reduction in soft tissue damage, provided by ultrasonic assisted motion, compared to current state-of-the-art implantation methods and devices.

Abstract: An electrode system include a flowable and cohesive surface contact element comprising a hydrophilic polymer swollen with an electrolyte fluid, the contact element having a Q? ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation Q ? = W W W G wherein WG is the dry weight of the hydrophilic polymer and WW is weight of water in the sample after absorption of the electrolyte fluid comprising water and an electrolyte salt. The surface contact element can consist essentially of the hydrophilic polymer swollen by the electrolyte fluid. Another electrode system includes a contact element including a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer matrix. The contact element has a Q? ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation Q ? = W W W G . The contact elements can also have a Q? ratio of at least 6, at least 7, at least 10 or even at least 11.

Abstract: An electrode system include a flowable and cohesive surface contact element comprising a hydrophilic polymer swollen with an electrolyte fluid, the contact element having a Q? ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation Q ? = W W W G wherein WG is the dry weight of the hydrophilic polymer and WW is weight of water in the sample after absorption of the electrolyte fluid comprising water and an electrolyte salt. The surface contact element can consist essentially of the hydrophilic polymer swollen by the electrolyte fluid. Another electrode system includes a contact element including a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer matrix. The contact element has a Q? ratio of at least 5 as defined by the equation Q ? = W W W G . The contact elements can also have a Q? ratio of at least 6, at least 7, at least 10 or even at least 11.