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Histology for Interface Stability over Time (HIST)

 

Description

DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of neural-recording interface failure analysis. The HIST program seeks to develop the technology needed to reliably extract information from the nervous system, and to do so at a scale and rate necessary to control many degree-of-freedom (DOF) machines, such as high-performance prosthetic limbs. Technologies and techniques emerging from this program will enable the construction of reliable neural-recording interfaces, which will be suitable for clinical use over the lifetime of an injured soldier (~70 years). Additionally, an objective understanding of the failure mechanisms will lead to high-throughput biological testing, due to the discovery of predictive markers linked to a high probability of failure and other accelerated-testing techniques. This will involve thorough tissue assessment using current and potential materials and designs. Ultimately, DARPA desires to develop predictive models of failure, robust indicators of interface reliability, repeatable insertion methodologies, and high-throughput biological test techniques. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.

Due to the maturity of existing technology, it is expected that meeting the goals of this solicitation will require a multi-disciplined perspective to quantitatively and objectively study the mechanisms and pathways that lead to the short operational lifetime of nearly all existing neural-recording-interface technologies. It is expected that performers will develop models and identify the signals and markers that predict long-term interface reliability. In addition, performers should develop methods to accelerate interface-reliability evaluation. Finally, the performers must develop strategies to mitigate or eliminate sources of interface failure. Investigators must have the ability to perform sophisticated biostatistics, use state-of-the-art engineering failure-analysis statistics and methods, and conduct high-sample-count animal testing in order to build a solid statistical foundation for the advancement of reliable neural-recording interfaces.

The four technical areas to be addressed are:

1. Quantitatively identify dominant failure mechanisms of neural-recording interfaces, with objectivity and strong statistical confidence.
2. Develop new quantitative in-vitro and in-vivo techniques for assessing neural-recording-interface degradation and failure.
3. Predict the failure of neural-recording interfaces by creating new statistically validated models and early-precursor-signal-based techniques.
4. Accelerate the failure of neural-recording interfaces by creating new statistically validated models and stressor-signal-based techniques.

All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or full proposal to this BAA, should be directed to one of the administrative addresses below; e-mail or fax is preferred. E-mail: DARPA-BAA-10-32@darpa.mil; PHONE: (703) 351-8293 for administrative/TFIMS questions; PHONE: (703) 351-8697 for technical questions. DARPA intends to use electronic mail for correspondence regarding DARPA-BAA-10-32.

Important Dates:

Posting Date:

March 3, 2010

Proposal Abstract Due Date :

No later than 11:59 a.m., Eastern Time, April 6, 2010

Full Proposal Due Date:

No later than 11:59 a.m., Eastern Time, June 04, 2010

Contracting Office Address

3701 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22203-1714

Primary Point of Contact

Jack Judy, Program Manager
DARPA-BAA-10-32@darpa.mil
Fax: 703-807-4950