Design and fabrication of multi-microelectrode array with SAMs surface modification for neural prosthesis

Neural prostheses are devices that utilize electrical stimulation or recording technique to activate the damaged or disabled nervous system for function restoration. Among varied electrodes, nerve cuff electrodes have been used for neuroprosthetic applications in peripheral nerve system. However, an increase in electrode impedance might occur during clinical implantation. Our research was in an attempt to minimize the protein absorption and elongate life of the implantable nerve cuff electrode by using the self-assembled monolayer (SAMs) surface modification technique. In this work, a thin-film SAMs treatment upon Au/polyimide surface of the microelectrode provided a hydrophobic characteristic, which retarded proteins adsorption at the initial stage and subsequent pile-up process. Gold electrode treated by SAMs film permits the control of interactions of the biomolecule-electrode surface at the molecular scale. A novel design multi-polar spiral cuff electrode, composed of SAMs treated gold electrodes and flexible polyimide substrate, was fabricated and evaluated.