Topic: polyimide

Neural probes made of flexible and soft materials typically have a limited shank length, restricting access to deeper brain areas. In this study, we developed single-shank polyimide-based neural probes with an ultra-long implantable shank, enabling penetration depths of several centimeters. The probes are composed of multiple components assembled using gold-gold thermocompression bonding after wafer-level fabrication, with the assembled devices exceeding a length of 300 mm. The tapered shank is approximately 200 µm wide, 15 µm thick and contains 32 linearly placed iridium-oxide microelectrodes

A major challenge in brain-computer-interfaces is the development of technology that integrates well with the brain without sacrificing device functionality and implantability. Currently, the only commercially available device for humans is the Utah-array. However, the stiffness and size of these silicon probes have an adverse effect on the brain tissue, which decreases the interface longevity. In this project we investigate different probe designs to determine which parameters are most important to improve device-tissue integration, focusing on the rigidness and the footprint of the probe. Ri

Ultraflexible polymer dense electrode arrays can allow chronic recording and stimulation of multiple brain areas with good electrode-tissue integration. Detection of electrode positions post-implantation is important to identify the exact brain areas recorded and/or stimulated because of possible deflection of electrodes due to their high flexibility during insertion. However, due to the material properties and dimensions, it is challenging to localize ultraflexible polymer electrode arrays by standard noninvasive imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomograp