Neural probe needle packs hundreds of electrodes, singles out neurons
In charge of the design and fabrication of the brain probe, nanoelectronics research center IMEC used silicon chip technology to fabricate a probe with hundreds of electrodes capable of contacting and reading out single neurons.
“Our goal was to fabricate a brain probe that would enable a breakthrough in the level of detail by which micro circuits of the brain cortex and also deep brain structures can be studied. Previous probes were severely restricted in the number of signals that could be captured simultaneously which limited their use as a basis for research and therapeutic tools. With this new probe, we demonstrate that it is possible to create powerful electronics that can interface with the brain on the level of small neuronal circuits and even individual neurons”, explained Marleen Welkenhuysen, NeuroSeeker project manager at IMEC.
Imec’s NeuroSeeker probe has the size of a chip package and consists of a base chip and protruding needle. The 8mm-long biocompatible needle is extremely thin, only 50µm thick and 100μm wide so it reduces damage to the brain tissue. Along the needle’s shaft hundreds of electrodes are arranged, each a tiny square measuring 20×20µm2. To allow for the dense layout of the electrodes and to be able to read out all electrodes simultaneously, the designers created an innovative time-division multiplexing scheme, which connects 8 electrodes through a single wire with the electronics in the base chip.
The probe is expected to help neuroscientists gain a better insight in how the human brain works, hopefully leading to more accurate diagnostic and prosthetic tools to tackle human brain diseases.
Reaching a new level of electrode density, the new probe aligns with the size and density of the brain network so it can measure what is going on in the brain or reversely, influence brain activity through electrical stimulation.
Neuroseeker – www.neuroseeker.eu
imec – www.imec-int.com
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