A Multimodal, SU-8 - Platinum - Polyimide Microelectrode Array for Chronic In Vivo Neurophysiology

PLoS One. 2015 Dec 18;10(12):e0145307. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145307. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Utilization of polymers as insulator and bulk materials of microelectrode arrays (MEAs) makes the realization of flexible, biocompatible sensors possible, which are suitable for various neurophysiological experiments such as in vivo detection of local field potential changes on the surface of the neocortex or unit activities within the brain tissue. In this paper the microfabrication of a novel, all-flexible, polymer-based MEA is presented. The device consists of a three dimensional sensor configuration with an implantable depth electrode array and brain surface electrodes, allowing the recording of electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals with laminar ones, simultaneously. In vivo recordings were performed in anesthetized rat brain to test the functionality of the device under both acute and chronic conditions. The ECoG electrodes recorded slow-wave thalamocortical oscillations, while the implanted component provided high quality depth recordings. The implants remained viable for detecting action potentials of individual neurons for at least 15 weeks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Electrocorticography / instrumentation*
  • Electrodes, Implanted*
  • Microelectrodes*
  • Platinum*
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Platinum

Grants and funding

This work was funded by the Bolyai János Grant of the HAS and KTIA NAP 13-2-2015-0004 to Anita Pongrácz, and OTKA K81354, KTIA_13_NAP-A-IV/1-2-3-6, ANR-TÉT Multisca, TAMOP-4.2.1.B-11/2/KMR-2011-0002, EU FP7 Grant No. 600925 NeuroSeeker grants to István Ulbert. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.