Conformal bumped electrode web for chronic ECoG recordings in swine

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• High-quality electrocorticogram (ECoG) signals are crucial for diagnosing and treating neurological disorders.
• Traditional ECoG electrodes lack flexibility and conformability to the dynamic, contoured cerebral cortex.
• Existing electrodes face challenges with mechanical mismatch and signal quality due to movement and complex brain structure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a flexible, stretchable ECoG electrode with a bumped design to overcome limitations of traditional electrodes.
• To evaluate the mechanical stability, conformability, and electrochemical performance of the novel electrode.
• To demonstrate the capability of the electrode for long-term, high-quality neural signal acquisition in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Mechanical simulations were performed to assess stress distribution.
• Cyclic voltammetry and mechanical tensile tests evaluated electrochemical stability and stretchability.
• In vivo animal experiments were conducted using swine to record ECoG signals over a large area and extended duration.

Main Results:

• The stretchable electrode design effectively reduced stress at the electrode-tissue interface.
• The electrode demonstrated conformal attachment to the cerebral cortex and maintained electrochemical stability during stretching.
• Bumped electrodes exhibited enhanced adhesion and reduced background noise compared to planar electrodes.
• Continuous, high-quality ECoG signals were recorded over a 22x22 mm² area for over 5 weeks in swine.

Conclusions:

• The developed flexible, stretchable ECoG electrode with a bumped design offers significant advantages for neural recording.
• This technology provides a promising solution for long-term, high-fidelity ECoG monitoring in neurological applications.
• The electrode's conformability and stability pave the way for improved diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.