A new generation of double-sided intramuscular electrodes for multi-channel recording and stimulation

In this work, a new generation of intramuscular multi-channel electrode for EMG recording and muscle stimulation is presented. The electrode is based on double-sided polyimide microtechnology, and features electrode contacts on both sides of a thin polyimide filament. The structure is attached to a cannula, allowing insertion and application of the electrode system similar to conventional intramuscular wire electrodes. In the presented design, the electrode has 12 small recording sites on one side of the structure, and 3 large stimulation sites on the other side. Applications of the system include diagnosis and treatment of tremor. To this end, the electrode has been successfully tested in tremor patients. In the future, the concept will be extended to other fields of application including intraneural electrodes.