Sustainability inspired fabrication of next generation neurostimulation and cardiac rhythm management electrodes via reactive hierarchical surface restructuring

Over the last two decades, platinum group metals (PGMs) and their alloys have dominated as the materials of choice for electrodes in long-term implantable neurostimulation and cardiac rhythm management devices due to their superior conductivity, mechanical and chemical stability, biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, radiopacity, and electrochemical performance. Despite these benefits, PGM manufacturing processes are extremely costly, complex, and challenging with potential health hazards. Additionally, the volatility in PGM prices and their high supply risk, combined with their scarce concentration of approximately 0.01 ppm in the earth's upper crust and limited mining geographical areas, underscores their classification as critical raw materials, thus, their effective recovery or substitution worldwide is of paramount importance. Since postmortem recovery from deceased patients and/or refining of PGMs that are used in the manufacturing of the electrodes and microelectrode arrays is extremely rare, challenging, and highly costly, therefore, substitution of PGM-based electrodes with other biocompatible materials that can yield electrochemical performance values equal or greater than PGMs is the only viable and sustainable solution to reduce and ultimately substitute the use of PGMs in long-term implantable neurostimulation and cardiac rhythm management devices. In this article, we demonstrate for the first time how the novel technique of "reactive hierarchical surface restructuring" can be utilized on titanium-that is widely used in many non-stimulation medical device and implant applications-to manufacture biocompatible, low-cost, sustainable, and high-performing neurostimulation and cardiac rhythm management electrodes. We have shown how the surface of titanium electrodes with extremely poor electrochemical performance undergoes compositional and topographical transformations that result in electrodes with outstanding electrochemical performance.

Recent Progress and Perspectives on Neural Chip Platforms Integrating PDMS-Based Microfluidic Devices and Microelectrode Arrays

Recent years have witnessed a spurt of progress in the application of the encoding and decoding of neural activities to drug screening, diseases diagnosis, and brain-computer interactions. To overcome the constraints of the complexity of the brain and the ethical considerations of in vivo research, neural chip platforms integrating microfluidic devices and microelectrode arrays have been raised, which can not only customize growth paths for neurons in vitro but also monitor and modulate the specialized neural networks grown on chips. Therefore, this article reviews the developmental history of chip platforms integrating microfluidic devices and microelectrode arrays. First, we review the design and application of advanced microelectrode arrays and microfluidic devices. After, we introduce the fabrication process of neural chip platforms. Finally, we highlight the recent progress on this type of chip platform as a research tool in the field of brain science and neuroscience, focusing on neuropharmacology, neurological diseases, and simplified brain models. This is a detailed and comprehensive review of neural chip platforms. This work aims to fulfill the following three goals: (1) summarize the latest design patterns and fabrication schemes of such platforms, providing a reference for the development of other new platforms; (2) generalize several important applications of chip platforms in the field of neurology, which will attract the attention of scientists in the field; and (3) propose the developmental direction of neural chip platforms integrating microfluidic devices and microelectrode arrays.

Femtosecond laser hierarchical surface restructuring for next generation neural interfacing electrodes and microelectrode arrays

Long-term implantable neural interfacing devices are able to diagnose, monitor, and treat many cardiac, neurological, retinal and hearing disorders through nerve stimulation, as well as sensing and recording electrical signals to and from neural tissue. To improve specificity, functionality, and performance of these devices, the electrodes and microelectrode arrays-that are the basis of most emerging devices-must be further miniaturized and must possess exceptional electrochemical performance and charge exchange characteristics with neural tissue. In this report, we show for the first time that the electrochemical performance of femtosecond-laser hierarchically-restructured electrodes can be tuned to yield unprecedented performance values that significantly exceed those reported in the literature, e.g. charge storage capacity and specific capacitance were shown to have improved by two orders of magnitude and over 700-fold, respectively, compared to un-restructured electrodes. Additionally, correlation amongst laser parameters, electrochemical performance and surface parameters of the electrodes was established, and while performance metrics exhibit a relatively consistent increasing behavior with laser parameters, surface parameters tend to follow a less predictable trend negating a direct relationship between these surface parameters and performance. To answer the question of what drives such performance and tunability, and whether the widely adopted reasoning of increased surface area and roughening of the electrodes are the key contributors to the observed increase in performance, cross-sectional analysis of the electrodes using focused ion beam shows, for the first time, the existence of subsurface features that may have contributed to the observed electrochemical performance enhancements. This report is the first time that such performance enhancement and tunability are reported for femtosecond-laser hierarchically-restructured electrodes for neural interfacing applications.

Controlled assembly of retinal cells on fractal and Euclidean electrodes

Controlled assembly of retinal cells on artificial surfaces is important for fundamental cell research and medical applications. We investigate fractal electrodes with branches of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes and silicon dioxide gaps between the branches that form repeating patterns spanning from micro- to milli-meters, along with single-scaled Euclidean electrodes. Fluorescence and electron microscopy show neurons adhere in large numbers to branches while glial cells cover the gaps. This ensures neurons will be close to the electrodes’ stimulating electric fields in applications. Furthermore, glia won’t hinder neuron-branch interactions but will be sufficiently close for neurons to benefit from the glia’s life-supporting functions. This cell ‘herding’ is adjusted using the fractal electrode’s dimension and number of repeating levels. We explain how this tuning facilitates substantial glial coverage in the gaps which fuels neural networks with small-world structural characteristics. The large branch-gap interface then allows these networks to connect to the neuron-rich branches.

Soft Devices for High-Resolution Neuro-Stimulation: The Interplay Between Low-Rigidity and Resolution

The field of neurostimulation has evolved over the last few decades from a crude, low-resolution approach to a highly sophisticated methodology entailing the use of state-of-the-art technologies. Neurostimulation has been tested for a growing number of neurological applications, demonstrating great promise and attracting growing attention in both academia and industry. Despite tremendous progress, long-term stability of the implants, their large dimensions, their rigidity and the methods of their introduction and anchoring to sensitive neural tissue remain challenging. The purpose of this review is to provide a concise introduction to the field of high-resolution neurostimulation from a technological perspective and to focus on opportunities stemming from developments in materials sciences and engineering to reduce device rigidity while optimizing electrode small dimensions. We discuss how these factors may contribute to smaller, lighter, softer and higher electrode density devices.

Advanced Metallic and Polymeric Coatings for Neural Interfacing: Structures, Properties and Tissue Responses

Neural electrodes are essential for nerve signal recording, neurostimulation, neuroprosthetics and neuroregeneration, which are critical for the advancement of brain science and the establishment of the next-generation brain-electronic interface, central nerve system therapeutics and artificial intelligence. However, the existing neural electrodes suffer from drawbacks such as foreign body responses, low sensitivity and limited functionalities. In order to overcome the drawbacks, efforts have been made to create new constructions and configurations of neural electrodes from soft materials, but it is also more practical and economic to improve the functionalities of the existing neural electrodes via surface coatings. In this article, recently reported surface coatings for neural electrodes are carefully categorized and analyzed. The coatings are classified into different categories based on their chemical compositions, i.e., metals, metal oxides, carbons, conducting polymers and hydrogels. The characteristic microstructures, electrochemical properties and fabrication methods of the coatings are comprehensively presented, and their structure-property correlations are discussed. Special focus is given to the biocompatibilities of the coatings, including their foreign-body response, cell affinity, and long-term stability during implantation. This review article can provide useful and sophisticated insights into the functional design, material selection and structural configuration for the next-generation multifunctional coatings of neural electrodes.

Nafion and Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Modified Ultrananocrystalline Diamond Microelectrodes for Detection of Dopamine and Serotonin

Neurochemicals play a critical role in the function of the human brain in healthy and diseased states. Here, we have investigated three types of microelectrodes, namely boron-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond (BDUNCD), nafion-modified BDUNCD, and nafion-multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-modified BDUNCD microelectrodes for long-term neurochemical detection. A ~50 nm-thick nafion-200-nm-thick MWCNT-modified BDUNCD microelectrode provided an excellent combination of sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of dopamine (DA; 6.75 μA μM-1 cm-2) and serotonin (5-HT; 4.55 μA μM-1 cm-2) in the presence of excess amounts of ascorbic acid (AA), the most common interferent. Surface stability studies employing droplet-based microfluidics demonstrate rapid response time (<2 s) and low limits of detection (5.4 ± 0.40 nM). Furthermore, we observed distinguishable DA and 5-HT current peaks in a ternary mixture during long-term stability studies (up to 9 h) with nafion-MWCNT-modified BDUNCD microelectrodes. Reduced fouling on the modified BDUNCD microelectrode surface offers significant advantages for their use in long-term neurochemical detection as compared to those of prior-art microelectrodes.

Electrochemical and in vitro neuronal recording characteristics of multi-electrode arrays surface-modified with electro-co-deposited gold-platinum nanoparticles

In order to complement the high impedance electrical property of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) we have performed electro-co-deposition of gold-platinum nanoparticles (Au-Pt NPs) onto the Au multi-electrode array (MEA) and modified the Au-Pt NPs surface with cell adhesive poly-D-lysine via thiol chemistry based covalent binding. The Au-Pt NPs were analyzed to have bimetallic nature not the mixture of Au NPs and Pt NPs by X-ray diffraction analysis and to have impedance value (4.0 × 10(4) Ω (at 1 kHz)) comparable to that of Pt NPs. The performance of Au-Pt NP-modified MEAs was also checked in relation to neuronal signal recording. The noise level in Au-Pt NP-modified MEAs was lower than in that of Au NP-modified MEA.

Modification of surface/neuron interfaces for neural cell-type specific responses: a review

Surface/neuron interfaces have played an important role in neural repair including neural prostheses and tissue engineered scaffolds. This comprehensive literature review covers recent studies on the modification of surface/neuron interfaces. These interfaces are identified in cases both where the surfaces of substrates or scaffolds were in direct contact with cells and where the surfaces were modified to facilitate cell adhesion and controlling cell-type specific responses. Different sources of cells for neural repair are described, such as pheochromocytoma neuronal-like cell, neural stem cell (NSC), embryonic stem cell (ESC), mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS). Commonly modified methods are discussed including patterned surfaces at micro- or nano-scale, surface modification with conducting coatings, and functionalized surfaces with immobilized bioactive molecules. These approaches to control cell-type specific responses have enormous potential implications in neural repair.

Carbon-based smart nanomaterials in biomedicine and neuroengineering

The search for advanced biomimetic materials that are capable of offering a scaffold for biological tissues during regeneration or of electrically connecting artificial devices with cellular structures to restore damaged brain functions is at the forefront of interdisciplinary research in materials science. Bioactive nanoparticles for drug delivery, substrates for nerve regeneration and active guidance, as well as supramolecular architectures mimicking the extracellular environment to reduce inflammatory responses in brain implants, are within reach thanks to the advancements in nanotechnology. In particular, carbon-based nanostructured materials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanodiamonds (NDs), have demonstrated to be highly promising materials for designing and fabricating nanoelectrodes and substrates for cell growth, by virtue of their peerless optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. In this review we discuss the state-of-the-art in the applications of nanomaterials in biological and biomedical fields, with a particular emphasis on neuroengineering.

Growth and structural discrimination of cortical neurons on randomly oriented and vertically aligned dense carbon nanotube networks

The growth of cortical neurons on three dimensional structures of spatially defined (structured) randomly oriented, as well as on vertically aligned, carbon nanotubes (CNT) is studied. Cortical neurons are attracted towards both types of CNT nano-architectures. For both, neurons form clusters in close vicinity to the CNT structures whereupon the randomly oriented CNTs are more closely colonised than the CNT pillars. Neurons develop communication paths via neurites on both nanoarchitectures. These neuron cells attach preferentially on the CNT sidewalls of the vertically aligned CNT architecture instead than onto the tips of the individual CNT pillars.

Effects of carbon nanotube and conducting polymer coated microelectrodes on single-unit recordings in vitro

Neuronal networks cultured on microelectrode arrays (MEAs) have been utilized as biosensors that can detect all or nothing extracellular action potentials, or spikes. Coating the microelectrodes with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), either pristine or conjugated with a conductive polymer, has been previously reported to improve extracellular recordings presumably via reduction in microelectrode impedance. The goal of this work was to examine the basis of such improvement in vitro. Every other microelectrode of in vitro MEAs was electrochemically modified with either conducting polymer, poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) or a blend of CNT and PEDOT. Mouse cortical tissue was dissociated and cultured on the MEAs to form functional neuronal networks. The performance of the modified and unmodified microelectrodes was evaluated by activity measures such as spike rate, spike amplitude, burst duration and burst rate. We observed that the yield, defined as percentage of microelectrodes with neuronal activity, was significantly higher by 55% for modified microelectrodes compared to the unmodified sites. However, the spike rate and burst parameters were similar for modified and unmodified microelectrodes suggesting that neuronal networks were not physiologically altered by presence of PEDOT or PEDOT-CNT. Our observations from immunocytochemistry indicated that neuronal cells were more abundant in proximity to modified microelectrodes.

Carbon nanotubes in neuroregeneration and repair

In the last decade, we have experienced an increasing interest and an improved understanding of the application of nanotechnology to the nervous system. The aim of such studies is that of developing future strategies for tissue repair to promote functional recovery after brain damage. In this framework, carbon nanotube based technologies are emerging as particularly innovative tools due to the outstanding physical properties of these nanomaterials together with their recently documented ability to interface neuronal circuits, synapses and membranes. This review will discuss the state of the art in carbon nanotube technology applied to the development of devices able to drive nerve tissue repair; we will highlight the most exciting findings addressing the impact of carbon nanotubes in nerve tissue engineering, focusing in particular on neuronal differentiation, growth and network reconstruction.

Nanodevices for cellular interfaces and electrophysiological recording

Advances in nanomaterials and nanotechnologies offer important opportunities for cellular interfaces. This Research News highlights some recent progress on cellular electrophysiology enabled by using nanostructures as active elements of bioelectronic devices. We begin with a brief description of signal transduction mechanism at device-cell interfaces and then explain the challenges of currently available techniques. Next, specific examples with substantial potential in both extracellular and intracellular electrophysiological recording are given to illustrate the remarkable power of nanostructures and their devices. We will conclude with a discussion of some exciting directions that are currently being pursued in flexible, 3D bioelectronics.

Are carbon nanotubes a natural solution? Applications in biology and medicine

Carbon nanotubes and materials based on carbon nanotubes have many perceived applications in the field of biomedicine. Several highly promising examples have been highlighted in the literature, ranging from their use as growth substrates or tissue scaffolds to acting as intracellular transporters for various therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In addition, carbon nanotubes have a strong optical absorption in the near-infrared region (in which tissue is transparent), which enables their use for biological imaging applications and photothermal ablation of tumors. Although these advances are potentially game-changing, excitement must be tempered somewhat as several bottlenecks exist. Carbon nanotube-based technologies ultimately have to compete with and out-perform existing technologies in terms of performance and price. Moreover, issues have been highlighted relating to toxicity, which presents an obstacle for the transition from preclinical to clinical use. Although many studies have suggested that well-functionalized carbon nanotubes appear to be safe to the treated animals, mainly rodents, long-term toxicity issues remains to be elucidated. In this report, we systematically highlight some of the most promising biomedical application areas of carbon nanotubes and review the interaction of carbon nanotubes with cultured cells and living organisms with a particular focus on in vivo biodistribution and potential adverse health effects. To conclude, future challenges and prospects of carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications will be addressed.

Ultra-sharp metal and nanotube-based probes for applications in scanning microscopy and neural recording

This paper discusses several methods for manufacturing ultra-sharp probes, with applications geared toward, but not limited to, scanning microscopy (STM, AFM) and intra-cellular recordings of neural signals. We present recipes for making tungsten, platinum/iridium alloy, and nanotube fibril tips. Electrical isolation methods using Parylene-C or PMMA are described.

Magnetic Nanotubes Influence the Response of Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons to Alternating Magnetic Fields

Magnetic nanotubes hold the potential for neuroscience applications because of the feasibility of controlling the orientation or movement of magnetic nanotubes and their ability to deliver chemicals or biomolecules by an external magnetic field, which can facilitate directed growth of neurites. Therefore, we sought to investigate the effects of laminin treated magnetic nanotubes and external alternating magnetic fields on the growth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in cell culture. Magnetic nanotubes were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized to confirm their hollow structure, the hematite and maghemite phases, and the magnetic properties. DRG neurons were cultured in the presence of laminin coupled magnetic nanotubes under alternating magnetic fields. Electron microscopy showed a close interaction between magnetic nanotubes and the growing neurites. Phase contrast microscopy revealed live growing neurons suggesting that the combination of the presence of magnetic nanotubes and the alternating magnetic field were tolerated by DRG neurons. The synergistic effects, from both laminin treated magnetic nanotubes and the applied magnetic field on the survival, growth, and electrical activities of the DRG neurons, are currently being investigated.

An active, flexible carbon nanotube microelectrode array for recording electrocorticograms

A variety of microelectrode arrays (MEAs) has been developed for monitoring intra-cortical neural activity at a high spatio-temporal resolution, opening a promising future for brain research and neural prostheses. However, most MEAs are based on metal electrodes on rigid substrates, and the intra-cortical implantation normally causes neural damage and immune responses that impede long-term recordings. This communication presents a flexible, carbon-nanotube MEA (CMEA) with integrated circuitry. The flexibility allows the electrodes to fit on the irregular surface of the brain to record electrocorticograms in a less invasive way. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) further improve both the electrode impedance and the charge-transfer capacity by more than six times. Moreover, the CNTs are grown on the polyimide substrate directly to improve the adhesion to the substrate. With the integrated recording circuitry, the flexible CMEA is proved capable of recording the neural activity of crayfish in vitro, as well as the electrocorticogram of a rat cortex in vivo, with an improved signal-to-noise ratio. Therefore, the proposed CMEA can be employed as a less-invasive, biocompatible and reliable neuro-electronic interface for long-term usage.

Chemically grafted carbon nanotube surface coverage gradients

Two approaches to producing gradients of vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on silicon surfaces by chemical grafting are presented here. The first approach involves the use of a porous silicon (pSi) substrate featuring a pore size gradient, which is functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Carboxylated SWCNTs are then immobilized on the topography gradient via carbodiimide coupling. Our results show that as the pSi pore size and porosity increase across the substrate the SWCNT coverage decreases concurrently. In contrast, the second gradient is an amine-functionality gradient produced by means of vapor-phase diffusion of APTES from a reservoir onto a silicon wafer where APTES attachment changes as a function of distance from the APTES reservoir. Carboxylated SWCNTs are then immobilized via carbodiimide coupling to the amine-terminated silicon gradient. Our observations confirm that with decreasing APTES density on the surface the coverage of the attached SWCNTs also decreases. These gradient platforms pave the way for the time-efficient optimization of SWCNT coverage for applications ranging from field emission to water filtration to drug delivery.

Carbon nanotube-based neurochips

High-density carbon nanotube (CNT)-coated surfaces are highly neuro-adhesive. When shaped into regular arrays of isolated islands on a non-adhesive support substrate (such as a clean glass), CNTs can function as effective encoring sites for neurons and glia cells for in-vitro applications. Primarily, patterned CNT islands provide a means to form complex, engineered, interconnected neuronal networks with pre-designed geometry via utilizing the self-assembly process of neurons. Depositing these CNT islands onto multielectrode array chip can facilitate both cell anchoring but also electrical interfacing between the electrodes and the neurons.

Electrodeposited polypyrrole/carbon nanotubes composite films electrodes for neural interfaces

The search for new electrode materials including new electrode modification methods is crucial for improving long-term performance of neuroprosthetic devices. In this study, an investigation of electrochemically co-deposited polypyrrole/single-walled carbon nanotube (PPy/SWCNT) films for improving the electrode-neural interface was reported. The PPy/SWCNT microelectrodes exhibited a particularly high safe charge injection (Q(inj)) limit of approximately 7.5 mC/cm(2) and low electrode impedance at 1 kHz, as well as good stability. Cell attachment and neurite outgrowth of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells on the PPy/SWCNT deposited substrates were clearly observed by Calcein-AM staining and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Furthermore, tissue response was studied by a 6-week implantation in the cortex of rats. A significantly lower (p<0.05) glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and higher (p<0.05) neuronal nuclei (NeuN) immunostaining were found on comparison of the test group (n=11) with the control group (n=8), in the zone within the distance of 100 microm to the implant interface. All of these characteristics are desirable for chronically implantable neural probes with high density microelectrodes. Importantly, this technique can easily incorporate other modification methods to build a more advanced electrode-neural interface.

Carbon nanotubes anchored to silicon for device fabrication

This report highlights recent progress in the fabrication of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs) on silicon-based materials. Research into these nanostructured composite materials is spurred by the importance of silicon as a basis for most current devices and the disruptive properties of CNTs. Various CNT attachments methods of covalent and adsorptive nature are critically compared. Selected examples of device applications where the VA-CNT on silicon assemblies are showing particular promise are discussed. These applications include field emitters, filtration membranes, dry adhesives, sensors and scaffolds for biointerfaces.

Nanotechnology for in vitro neuroscience

Neurons in vitro are different from any other cell types in their sensitivity and complexity. Growing, differentiating, transfecting, and recording from single neurons and neuronal networks all present particular challenges. Some of the difficulties arise from the small scale of cellular structures, and have already seen substantial advances due to nanotechnology, particularly highly fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles. Other issues have less obvious solutions, but the complex and often surprising way that novel nanomaterials react with cells have suggested some revolutionary approaches. We review some of the ways nanomaterials and nanostructures can contribute to in vitro neuroscience, with a particular focus on emphasizing techniques that are widely accessible to many laboratories and on providing references to protocols and methods. The issues of nanotoxicology of greatest interest to cultured neurons are discussed. Finally, we present some future trends and challenges in nano-neuroscience.

Hollow ZnO nanofibers fabricated using electrospun polymer templates and their electronic transport properties

Thin (0.5 to 1 microm) layers of nonaligned or quasi-aligned hollow ZnO fibers were prepared by sputtering ZnO onto sacrificial templates comprising polyvinyl-acetate (PVAc) fibers deposited by electrospinning on silicon or alumina substrates. Subsequently, the ZnO/PVAc composite fibers were calcined to remove the organic components and crystallize the ZnO overlayer, resulting in hollow fibers comprising nanocrystalline ZnO shells with an average grain size of 23 nm. The inner diameter of the hollow fibers ranged between 100 and 400 nm and their wall thickness varied from 100 to 40 nm from top to bottom. The electronic transport and gas sensing properties were examined using DC conductivity and AC impedance spectroscopy measurements under exposure to residual concentrations (2-10 ppm) of NO(2) in air at elevated temperatures (200-400 degrees C). The inner and outer surface regions of the hollow ZnO fibers were depleted of mobile charge carriers, presumably due to electron localization at O(-) adions, constricting the current to flow through their less resistive cores. The overall impedance comprised interfacial and bulk contributions. Both contributions increased upon exposure to electronegative gases such as NO(2) but the bulk contribution was more sensitive than the interfacial one. The hollow ZnO fibers were much more sensitive compared to reference ZnO thin film specimens, displaying even larger sensitivity enhancement than the 2-fold increase in their surface to volume ratio. The quasi-aligned fibers were more sensitive than their nonaligned counterparts.

Active pixel sensor array for high spatio-temporal resolution electrophysiological recordings from single cell to large scale neuronal networks

This paper presents a chip-based electrophysiological platform enabling the study of micro- and macro-circuitry in in-vitro neuronal preparations. The approach is based on a 64x64 microelectrode array device providing extracellular electrophysiological activity recordings with high spatial (21 microm of electrode separation) and temporal resolution (from 0.13 ms for 4096 microelectrodes down to 8 micros for 64 microelectrodes). Applied to in-vitro neuronal preparations, we show how this approach enables neuronal signals to be acquired for investigating neuronal activity from single cells and microcircuits to large scale neuronal networks. The main elements of the platform are the metallic microelectrode array (MEA) implemented in Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology similar to a light imager, the in-pixel integrated low-noise amplifiers (11 microVrms) and the high-speed random addressing logic. The chip is combined with a real-time acquisition system providing the capability to record at 7.8 kHz/electrode the whole array and to process the acquired signals.

Flexible carbon nanotubes electrode for neural recording

This paper demonstrates a novel flexible carbon nanotubes (CNTs) electrode array for neural recording. In this device, the CNTs electrode arrays are partially embedded into the flexible Parylene-C film using a batch microfabrication process. Through this fabrication process, the CNTs can be exposed to increase the total sensing area of an electrode. Thus, the flexible CNTs electrode of low impedance is realized. In application, the flexible CNTs electrode has been employed to record the neural signal of a crayfish nerve cord for in vitro recording. The measurements demonstrate the superior performance of the presented flexible CNTs electrode with low impedance (11.07 kohms at 1 kHz) and high peak-to-peak amplitude action potential (about 410 microV). In addition, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the presented flexible CNTs electrode is about 257, whereas the SNR of the reference (a pair of Teflon-coated silver wires) is only 79. The simultaneous recording of the flexible CNTs electrode array is also demonstrated. Moreover, the flexible CNTs electrode has been employed to successfully record the spontaneous spikes from the crayfish nerve cord. The amplitude of the spontaneous peak-to-peak response is about 25 microV.