Bundled Microfluidic Channels for Nerve Regeneration Electrodes

The development of a neural interface that allows signals from the human nervous system to control external equipment is extremely important for the next generation of prosthetic systems. A novel multichannel regeneration-type nerve electrode that was designed to record from and stimulate peripheral nerves has been developed to allow for the control of artificial hands and to generate artificial sensations. In this study we propose a neural probe with multiple microfluidic channels for measuring signals from regenerated axons passing through the fluidic channels. Each channel also serves as a guidance tube of the nerve regeneration and as fluidic pathways for injecting chemicals such as nerve growth factors (NGF). Parylene microfluidic channels were formed with microelectrodes and then the substrate was rolled up, resulting in bundled channels. We have succeeded in injecting NGF from the channels and observed the regeneration of an axon guided by the channels.