Demonstration of cortical recording and reduced inflammatory response using flexible polymer neural probes

We present the fabrication, characterization, use in cortical recording and histological results of a flexible implantable neural probe. The device is microfabricated in polyimide and platinum, allowing for greater flexibility. It incorporates two layers of platinum electrodes, which greatly reduces the size of neural probes and limits the insertion damage. In recording experiments, acute in-vivo measurements were performed in the mouse cortex. Local field potential, single- and multi-neuron activity were simultaneously recorded. We demonstrate using immunohistochemistry techniques reduced inflammation at the implantation site for microfabricated polyimide neural probes. We therefore show that the major advantage of using polymer probes over silicon probes is the reduced damage due to insertion and probe-brain compliance mismatch.