JP

Organization

Research Division

Practical Research and Collaboration Division
Resilient EICT Research Promotion Office
Professor (Specially Appointed)
Ph.D
Research Subject(s)
Establishment of neuro-machine interface for biofunctional support
Key Words
Conductive polymer / Fiber electrode / health care / brain neuron / synapse
Website
Research Activities

The purpose of this research is based on understanding informational processing mechanism at synapse and its artificial formation of synapse. Establishment of interface between machine and neural system is the key. We have been studying conductive polymer modified fiber electrode for this purpose because of its high biocompatibility and flexibility. The electrode can be used not only for medical implant, bust also for health care, such as vital sign measurement. As the research is now on the phase of application, we organize a research community of flexible electrode and a venture corporation for further development in the field.

Conductive polymer fiber electrode for neural machine interface 〜artificial synapse 〜
Most of the present supporting device for disabilty function is based on the musle electrical measurement and control. Because of our electrode indicated high biocompatibility, we can use it as an implantable electrode for neural control. This could be helpful for medical treatment such as DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) in Parkinson's disease. Direct stimulation of the nerve acting like an artificial synapse is capable for producing precise control of behaviour. We are now studying a suitable system for longer sustainable neural connection.

Real time ambient vital sign sensing using fiber electrode
Ambient vital sign sensing is ideal for healthcare purpose. The fiber electrodes will are suitable because any signficant change of their natural characteristics was found with conducting polymer modification. As the electrode can measure changes in weight and strain, we use it for analyzing weight balance andvital signs in our body when sitting on the chair and when lying on the bed. We try to analyze posture conditions in real time for helping correction to proper conditions in order to avoid pain and future damage. 

Selected Works

S. Watanabe, H. Takahashi, K. Torimitsu, Electroconductive polymer-coated silk fiber electrodes for neural recording and stimulation in vivo, Jpn.J.Appl.Phys., 56_037001-1-5, 2017

K. Torimitsu, H. Takahashi, T. Sonobe, Y. Furukawa, Activity measurement using conductive polymer flexible electrode, Proceedings ISBS 2014 St Petersburg Russia, Stress, Brain and Behavior, 1, 23, 2014

J. Baranovic, C. S. Ramanujan, N. Kasai, C. Midgett, D. R. Madden, K. Torimitsu, J. F. Ryan, Reconstitution of homomeric GluA2 receptors in supported lipid membranes: functional and structural properties, J. of Biol. Chem., 288, 8647-8657, 2013

Y. Furukawa, A. Shimada, K. Kato, H. Iwata, K. Torimitsu, Monitoring neural stem cell differentiation using PEDOT-PSS based MEA, BBA Gen. Sub., 1830, 4329–4333, 2013

S. Tsukada, H. Nakashima, K. Torimitsu, Conductive polymer combined silk fiber bundle for the bioelectrical signal recording, PLoS ONE, 7, e33689-1-10, 2012

Selected Memberships
  • Society for Neuroscience
  • The Japan Neuroscience Society
  • The Japanese Society for Magnesium and Calcium Research
  • The Japan Society of Applied Physics
Selected Awards
  • Slow-Mag Award: Gordon Research Conferences (2002)
  • Best Poster Award: Gordon Research Conferences (2008)