Insertion of Flexible Neural Probes Using Rigid Stiffeners Attached with Biodissolvable Adhesive
Insertion of Flexible Neural Probes Using Rigid Stiffeners Attached with Biodissolvable Adhesive
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DOI：
10.3791/50609
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发表时间：
2013-09-01
影响因子：
1.2
通讯作者：
Pannu, Satinderpall S.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Felix, Sarah H.;Shah, Kedar G.;Pannu, Satinderpall S.
由生物相容性薄膜聚合物制成的神经接口装置的微电极阵列预期具有延长的功能寿命，因为柔性材料可以最小化由微动引起的不良组织反应。然而，它们的灵活性使它们无法准确地插入神经组织。本文演示了一种使用生物可溶性聚乙二醇（PEG）将柔性微电极探针临时连接到刚性加强件上的方法，以便于探针的精确手术插入。独特的加固设计可使PEG粘合剂沿着探针长度均匀分布。倒装芯片键合是微电子封装中使用的常用工具，能够将探针精确且可重复地对准和附接到加强件。将探针和加强件通过手术植入在一起，然后允许PEG溶解，以便可以取出加强件，将探针留在原位。最后，使用体外试验方法评价脑组织琼脂糖凝胶模型中的加强筋浸提。这种植入方法已被证明对于较长的柔性探针（> 3mm）特别有利。为双面柔性探针的植入提供了一种可行的方法。迄今为止，该技术已被用来获得各种在体内记录数据从大鼠皮层。
Microelectrode arrays for neural interface devices that are made of biocompatible thin-film polymer are expected to have extended functional lifetime because the flexible material may minimize adverse tissue response caused by micromotion. However, their flexibility prevents them from being accurately inserted into neural tissue. This article demonstrates a method to temporarily attach a flexible microelectrode probe to a rigid stiffener using biodissolvable polyethylene glycol (PEG) to facilitate precise, surgical insertion of the probe. A unique stiffener design allows for uniform distribution of the PEG adhesive along the length of the probe. Flip-chip bonding, a common tool used in microelectronics packaging, enables accurate and repeatable alignment and attachment of the probe to the stiffener. The probe and stiffener are surgically implanted together, then the PEG is allowed to dissolve so that the stiffener can be extracted leaving the probe in place. Finally, an in vitro test method is used to evaluate stiffener extraction in an agarose gel model of brain tissue. This approach to implantation has proven particularly advantageous for longer flexible probes (>3 mm). It also provides a feasible method to implant dual-sided flexible probes. To date, the technique has been used to obtain various in vivo recording data from the rat cortex.