PDMS-based flexible implanted neural microelectrode and manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention discloses a polydimethylsiloxane-based (PDMS) flexible implanted neural microelectrode and a manufacturing method. The electrode is characterized in that the PDMS with high biocompatibility and mechanical elasticity is used as a substrate material for the neural microelectrode, wherein the implanted flexible neural microelectrode which comprises an electrode site region, a connecting line region, a welding spot region and a micro-pipeline region is formed by electroplating technology, PDMS injection molding technology and bonding technology; the electrode site, the connecting line and the welding spot are structurally formed of an electroplated metal layer, so that the tensile resistance and the reliability of the metal structure of the PDMS microelectrode are enhanced; and the micro-pipeline integrated on the electrode can be used for pouring a curable liquid material which contains medicament or nerve growth factor, so that the operability of the operation implantation of the PDMS neutral microelectrode and the biocompatibility after the implantation are improved. Meanwhile, the preparation method of the PDMS microelectrode provided by the invention has the characteristics of simple process, low cost and standard batch manufacturing.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a flexible implantable neural microelectrode based on PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) and a manufacturing method, which can be applied to the fields of neurological disease treatment, neurobiological basic research and the like. Background technique [0002] Neural engineering system is currently a very active and rapidly developing research field, such as brain-computer interface, neural prosthesis and other issues have received more and more attention. In neuroengineering systems, the most critical components are the neuro-electronic interfaces, or electrodes. As a key interface between nerve tissue and functional instruments, nerve electrodes directly determine the ultimate performance of the entire nerve activity recording system or nerve function reconstruction system. An ideal implantable neural microelectrode needs to meet multiple requirements such as minimal implant damage, effective recording or stimulation effects, long...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although PDMS materials have the above-mentioned many advantages, they have not been widely used as flexible neural microelectrode materials, mainly because the fabrication and patterning of the metal layer on the PDMS surface has always been a difficult problem [Befahy S, Yunus S, Burguet V, et al .Metallization process for polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)rubber.Mater Res SocSymp Proc.2007:1009.]

The thermal expansion coefficient of PDMS is 310ppm / °c, while the thermal expansion coefficient of general metal materials is 5.0-25ppm / °c. Obviously, the thermal expansion coefficient of PDMS is much higher than that of metal materials, and the surface energy of PDMS materials is low. poor adhesion

Therefore, when making a PDMS-based flexible microelectrode, the metal layer attached to the PDMS will crack and fall off, which will cause the electrical conductivity of the electrode to fail, resulting in the electrical characteristics and working effect of the electrode being affected.

In addition, although the low Young's modulus of PDMS material is conducive to the attachment of PDMS microelectrodes to the surface of biological tissues, it is not conducive to the surgical implantation of PDMS microelectrodes because of its softness.

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