Acute in vivo Recording with a Generic Parylene Microelectrode Array Implanted with Dip-coating Method into the Rat...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Materials Science

Background:

• Flexible polymer-based microelectrode arrays (MEAs) reduce neural implant inflammation and extend device longevity.
• Current access to standard and customized polymer MEAs is limited, hindering broader research and application.
• Developing accessible polymer MEAs is crucial for advancing neural interface technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To promote the development and application of polymer MEAs by increasing accessibility.
• To introduce the Polymer Implantable Electrode (PIE) Foundry for polymer MEA fabrication.
• To develop and validate a versatile 64-channel Parylene C-based MEA and a practical insertion method.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 64-channel Parylene C-based MEA with a generic electrode layout.
• Development of a dip-coating protocol for flexible MEA insertion.
• Testing of MEA suitability for recording from cortical and sub-cortical regions in rodents.

Main Results:

• The Polymer Implantable Electrode (PIE) Foundry was established to provide accessible polymer MEAs.
• A 64-channel Parylene C MEA with a generic layout was successfully developed.
• A practical dip-coating protocol was established for flexible MEA insertion, enabling rodent brain recordings.

Conclusions:

• The PIE Foundry enhances accessibility to polymer MEAs, facilitating research and development.
• The developed 64-channel Parylene C MEA is suitable for both cortical and sub-cortical neural recordings in rodents.
• The novel insertion protocol simplifies the application of flexible MEAs, supporting wider adoption in neuroscience.