Fabrication of an inexpensive, implantable cooling device for reversible brain deactivation in animals ranging from rodents to primates

We have developed a compact and lightweight microfluidic cooling device to reversibly deactivate one or more areas of the neocortex to examine its functional macrocircuitry as well as behavioral and cortical plasticity. The device, which we term the "cooling chip," consists of thin silicon...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neurophysiology 2012-06, Vol.107 (12), p.3543-3558
Main Authors: Cooke, Dylan F, Goldring, Adam B, Yamayoshi, Itsukyo, Tsourkas, Phillippos, Recanzone, Gregg H, Tiriac, Alex, Pan, Tingrui, Simon, Scott I, Krubitzer, Leah
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Equipment Design - economics
Ferrets
Hypothermia, Induced - economics
Hypothermia, Induced - instrumentation
Hypothermia, Induced - methods
Innovative Methodology
Macaca mulatta
Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - economics
Microfluidic Analytical Techniques - instrumentation
Neocortex - physiology
Rats
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Summary:We have developed a compact and lightweight microfluidic cooling device to reversibly deactivate one or more areas of the neocortex to examine its functional macrocircuitry as well as behavioral and cortical plasticity. The device, which we term the "cooling chip," consists of thin silicone tubing (through which chilled ethanol is circulated) embedded in mechanically compliant polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). PDMS is tailored to compact device dimensions (as small as 21 mm(3)) that precisely accommodate the geometry of the targeted cortical area. The biocompatible design makes it suitable for both acute preparations and chronic implantation for long-term behavioral studies. The cooling chip accommodates an in-cortex microthermocouple measuring local cortical temperature. A microelectrode may be used to record simultaneous neural responses at the same location. Cortex temperature is controlled by computer regulation of the coolant flow, which can achieve a localized cortical temperature drop from 37 to 20°C in less than 3 min and maintain target temperature to within ±0.3°C indefinitely. Here we describe cooling chip fabrication and performance in mediating cessation of neural signaling in acute preparations of rodents, ferrets, and primates.
ISSN:0022-3077
1522-1598
1522-1598
DOI:10.1152/jn.01101.2011