Spiral peripheral nerve interface; updated fabrication process of the regenerative implant

The spiral peripheral nerve interface (SPNI) has been developed to record neural activity by utilizing the body's own ability to regenerate axons after injury. The implantable device is capable of providing a chronic recording array for use with technology designed to compensate for a loss of motor function. The SPNI offers a good route to establishing an effective interface to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) as the signals are enclosed within an insulating array that amplifies the axon signals for the neural recording, and reduces the amount of current necessary for stimulation. This paper presents an updated fabrication process that addresses the problems of previous designs and allows for an easier integration to external electronics via a ball-bonding technique. The updated device has been tested electrically in vitro, to show that it is capable of providing a reliable electrical interface to the regenerated tissue.