Leo Bullara is a research scientist in the Neural Engineering Program.

Research interests

Platinum-iridium microwire electrode fabrication and array assembly for implantation into and stimulation of central nervous system

Cuff electrode fabrication for implantation on and stimulation of peripheral nerves

Degrees

B.A. in Physics at the University of Southern California, CA in 1955

Bio-sketch

Mr. Bullara worked as Metallurgy Physicist in North American Aviation Company (Downey, CA) from 1955 to 1956. He then became the physicist and later a senior physicist in the Aerojet General Corporation, where he was involved in infrared and high-vacuum systems, miniature cooling systems and metallurgical applications for aircraft and missiles. Since 1966, he is a member of the Neural Engineering Program (then called Neurological Research Program). His research interest includes the design and fabrication of various types of stimulating and recording microelectrodes used in neuroprosthesis projects and holds a number of patents in this area.

Publications

[1] T. G. Yuen, W. F. Agnew, L. A. Bullara, S. Jacques, and D. B. McCreery, "Histological evaluation of neural damage from electrical stimulation: considerations for the selection of parameters for clinical application," Neurosurgery, vol. 9, pp. 292-9, 1981.

[2] L. A. Bullara, D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, and W. F. Agnew, "A microelectrode for delivery of defined charge densities," J Neurosci Methods, vol. 9, pp. 15-21, 1983.

[3] W. F. Agnew, T. G. Yuen, D. B. McCreery, and L. A. Bullara, "Histopathologic evaluation of prolonged intracortical electrical stimulation," Exp Neurol, vol. 92, pp. 162-85, 1986.

[4] D. B. McCreery, L. A. Bullara, and W. F. Agnew, "Neuronal activity evoked by chronically implanted intracortical microelectrodes," Exp Neurol, vol. 92, pp. 147-61, 1986.

[5] D. B. McCreery, W. F. Agnew, T. G. Yuen, and L. A. Bullara, "Comparison of neural damage induced by electrical stimulation with faradaic and capacitor electrodes," Ann Biomed Eng, vol. 16, pp. 463-81, 1988.

[6] W. F. Agnew, D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, and L. A. Bullara, "Histologic and physiologic evaluation of electrically stimulated peripheral nerve: considerations for the selection of parameters," Ann Biomed Eng, vol. 17, pp. 39-60, 1989.

[7] W. F. Agnew, D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, and L. A. Bullara, "Local anaesthetic block protects against electrically-induced damage in peripheral nerve," J Biomed Eng, vol. 12, pp. 301-8, 1990.

[8] D. B. McCreery, W. F. Agnew, T. G. Yuen, and L. Bullara, "Charge density and charge per phase as cofactors in neural injury induced by electrical stimulation," IEEE Trans Biomed Eng, vol. 37, pp. 996-1001, 1990.

[9] D. B. McCreery, W. F. Agnew, L. A. Bullara, and T. G. Yuen, "Partial pressure of oxygen in brain and peripheral nerve during damaging electrical stimulation," J Biomed Eng, vol. 12, pp. 309-15, 1990.

[10] D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, W. F. Agnew, and L. A. Bullara, "Stimulation with chronically implanted microelectrodes in the cochlear nucleus of the cat: histologic and physiologic effects," Hear Res, vol. 62, pp. 42-56, 1992.

[11] D. B. McCreery, W. F. Agnew, T. G. Yuen, and L. A. Bullara, "Damage in peripheral nerve from continuous electrical stimulation: comparison of two stimulus waveforms," Med Biol Eng Comput, vol. 30, pp. 109-14, 1992.

[12] W. F. Agnew, D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, and L. A. Bullara, "MK-801 protects against neuronal injury induced by electrical stimulation," Neuroscience, vol. 52, pp. 45-53, 1993.

[13] D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, W. F. Agnew, and L. A. Bullara, "Stimulus parameters affecting tissue injury during microstimulation in the cochlear nucleus of the cat," Hear Res, vol. 77, pp. 105-15, 1994.

[14] D. B. McCreery, W. F. Agnew, T. G. Yuen, and L. A. Bullara, "Relationship between stimulus amplitude, stimulus frequency and neural damage during electrical stimulation of sciatic nerve of cat," Med Biol Eng Comput, vol. 33, pp. 426-9, 1995.

[15] B. J. Woodford, R. R. Carter, D. McCreery, L. A. Bullara, and W. F. Agnew, "Histopathologic and physiologic effects of chronic implantation of microelectrodes in sacral spinal cord of the cat," J Neuropathol Exp Neurol, vol. 55, pp. 982-91, 1996.

[16] D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, W. F. Agnew, and L. A. Bullara, "A characterization of the effects on neuronal excitability due to prolonged microstimulation with chronically implanted microelectrodes," IEEE Trans Biomed Eng, vol. 44, pp. 931-9, 1997.

[17] D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, W. F. Agnew, and L. A. Bullara, "A quantitative computer-assisted morphometric analysis of stimulation- induced injury to myelinated fibers in a peripheral nerve," J Neurosci Methods, vol. 73, pp. 159-68, 1997.

[18] W. F. Agnew, D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, and L. A. Bullara, "Evolution and resolution of stimulation-induced axonal injury in peripheral nerve," Muscle Nerve, vol. 22, pp. 1393-402, 1999.

[19] X. Liu, D. B. McCreery, R. R. Carter, L. A. Bullara, T. G. Yuen, and W. F. Agnew, "Stability of the interface between neural tissue and chronically implanted intracortical microelectrodes," IEEE Trans Rehabil Eng, vol. 7, pp. 315-326, 1999.

[20] D. B. McCreery, T. G. Yuen, and L. A. Bullara, "Chronic microstimulation in the feline ventral cochlear nucleus: physiologic and histologic effects," Hear Res, vol. 149, pp. 223-38, 2000.

[21] D. B. McCreery, W. F. Agnew, and L. A. Bullara, "The effects of prolonged intracortical microstimulation on the excitability of pyramidal tract neurons in the cat," Ann Biomed Eng, vol. 30, pp. 107-19., 2002.

[22] D. McCreery, V. Pikov, A. Lossinsky, L. Bullara, and W. Agnew, "Arrays for chronic functional microstimulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord," IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng, vol. 12, pp. 195-207., 2004.

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