Electrochemically actuated microelectrodes for minimally invasive peripheral nerve interfaces
Chaoqun Dong, Alejandro Carnicer‐Lombarte, Filippo Bonafè, Botian Huang, Sagnik Middya, Amy Jin, Xudong Tao, Sanggil Han, Manohar Bance, Damiano G. Barone, Beatrice Fraboni, George G. Malliaras
Abstract
Electrode arrays that interface with peripheral nerves are used in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders; however, they require complex placement surgeries that carry a high risk of nerve injury. Here we leverage recent advances in soft robotic actuators and flexible electronics to develop highly conformable nerve cuffs that combine electrochemically driven conducting-polymer-based soft actuators with low-impedance microelectrodes. Driven with applied voltages as small as a few hundreds of millivolts, these cuffs allow active grasping or wrapping around delicate nerves. We validate this technology using in vivo rat models, showing that the cuffs form and maintain a self-closing and reliable bioelectronic interface with the sciatic nerve of rats without the use of surgical sutures or glues. This seamless integration of soft electrochemical actuators with neurotechnology offers a path towards minimally invasive intraoperative monitoring of nerve activity and high-quality bioelectronic interfaces.