Development of 3-Dimensional Polyimide-based Neural Probe with Improved Mechanical Stiffness and Double-side Recording Sites

A flexible but implantable polyimide-based neural implant was fabricated for reliable and stable long-term monitoring of neural activities from brain. The developed neural implant provides 3-dimensional (3D) $3{\times}3$ structure, avoids any hand handling, and makes the insertion more efficient and reliable. Any film curvature caused by residual stress was not observed in the electrode. The 3D flexible polyimide electrode penetrated a dense gel whose stiffness is close to live brain tissue, because a ${\sim}1{\mu}m$ thick nickel was electroplated along the edge of the shank in order to improve the stiffness. The recording sites were positioned at both side of the shank to increase the probability of recording neural signals from a target volume of tissue. Impedance remained stable over 72 hours because of extremely low moisture uptake in the polyimide dielectric layers. At electrical recording test in vitro, the fabricated electrode showed excellent recording performance, suggesting that this electrode has the potential for great recording from neuron firing and long-term implant performance.

증가된 기계적 강도 및 양방향 신호 검출이 가능한 3차원 폴리이미드 기반 뉴럴 프로브 개발