Implantable intracortical microelectrodes: reviewing the present with a focus on the future

Yang Wang; Xinze Yang; Xiwen Zhang; Yijun Wang; Weihua Pei

doi:10.1038/s41378-022-00451-6

Implantable intracortical microelectrodes: reviewing the present with a focus on the future

Microsyst Nanoeng. 2023 Jan 5:9:7. doi: 10.1038/s41378-022-00451-6. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Yang Wang^{1

2}, Xinze Yang^{1

2}, Xiwen Zhang^{1

2}, Yijun Wang^{1

2

3}, Weihua Pei^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100083 Beijing, China.
² University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China.
³ Chinese Institute for Brain Research, 102206 Beijing, China.

Abstract

Implantable intracortical microelectrodes can record a neuron's rapidly changing action potentials (spikes). In vivo neural activity recording methods often have either high temporal or spatial resolution, but not both. There is an increasing need to record more neurons over a longer duration in vivo. However, there remain many challenges to overcome before achieving long-term, stable, high-quality recordings and realizing comprehensive, accurate brain activity analysis. Based on the vision of an idealized implantable microelectrode device, the performance requirements for microelectrodes are divided into four aspects, including recording quality, recording stability, recording throughput, and multifunctionality, which are presented in order of importance. The challenges and current possible solutions for implantable microelectrodes are given from the perspective of each aspect. The current developments in microelectrode technology are analyzed and summarized.

Keywords: Biosensors; Electrical and electronic engineering.

Publication types

Review