Buying a diamond can now cure paralysis.  Ok, not exactly.  But did you know that studies are now showing that implants from these shiny objects can cure patients of neural disease.

Two researchers from the Case Western Reserve University are now building implants made of diamond and flexible polymer designed to identify chemical and electrical charges in the brain of patients who suffer from neural disease or to stimulate severed nerves and restore movement in the limbs of people who are paralyzed. 

Martin, a professor of chemical engineering and Zorman, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science, have had lots of early successes and the world is noticing.

They are working on developing diamond-coated electrodes for implantable devices which will last a lifetime. This would mean only one surgery. Martin says they are trying diamonds because unlike standard electrodes, diamonds won't corrode. 

 Still, they have a long way to go.

Right now, they are experimenting with figuring just how much of the diamond they would hav e to use.  The diamond is so hard that an entire implant made of it would damage surrounding tissue and the body would seal off the implant like a splinter.  So the key, Zorman says, is to use just enough diamond.

The diamond needed is only needed at the biological interface where the device connects with a nerve, says Zorman. 

To make electrodes in Martin's lab where he grows real diamond film in a vacuum under a high temperature, the duo adds boron making the diamond blue.  Blue diamonds conduct electricity .

Martin carefully and selectively grows a series of tiny squares of diamond film on silicon dioxide.  Zorman's group lays down a flexible polymer that fills in the gaps between the diamonds followed by a layer of metal that connects to the back of diamonds and will conduct electricity.  Finally Zorman adds a thick layer of flexible polymer base.  They dip the creation in hydrofluoric acid, which eats away the silicon dioxide and frees the probe.  

Chemical changes in the brain are measured by two diamond contacts with small probes.

The probes assist health researchers who are trying to understand the role chemicals play in stimulating nerves or communicating with the brain.

Lab tests have shown the team one diamond-coated electrode can monitor chemical and electrical signals and stimulate nerves. 

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