Microfabricated ceramic sensor arrays for direct interfacing to deep brain structures in primates

In this article we demonstrate the use of microfabricated ceramic based multisite microelectrodes for electrophysiological recordings from primate hippocampus. These electrodes possess superior strength and signal-to-noise characteristics than previous micro-array designs fabricated on silicon substrates. Because of their superior strength long probes can be fashioned which are capable of penetrating into deep brain structures. Additionally, the ceramic substrate eliminates several problems including cross-talk between microelectrodes and high background currents that have plagued prior silicon substrate based designs.