npj Flexible Electronics (Aug 2023)

A soft, high-density neuroelectronic array

  • Kyung Jin Seo,
  • Mackenna Hill,
  • Jaehyeon Ryu,
  • Chia-Han Chiang,
  • Iakov Rachinskiy,
  • Yi Qiang,
  • Dongyeol Jang,
  • Michael Trumpis,
  • Charles Wang,
  • Jonathan Viventi,
  • Hui Fang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41528-023-00271-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Techniques to study brain activities have evolved dramatically, yet tremendous challenges remain in acquiring high-throughput electrophysiological recordings minimally invasively. Here, we develop an integrated neuroelectronic array that is filamentary, high-density and flexible. Specifically, with a design of single-transistor multiplexing and current sensing, the total 256 neuroelectrodes achieve only a 2.3 × 0.3 mm2 area, unprecedentedly on a flexible substrate. A single-transistor multiplexing acquisition circuit further reduces noise from the electrodes, decreases the footprint of each pixel, and potentially increases the device’s lifetime. The filamentary neuroelectronic array also integrates with a rollable contact pad design, allowing the device to be injected through a syringe, enabling potential minimally invasive array delivery. Successful acute auditory experiments in rats validate the ability of the array to record neural signals with high tone decoding accuracy. Together, these results establish soft, high-density neuroelectronic arrays as promising devices for neuroscience research and clinical applications.