Stiffness-tunable neurotentacles for minimally invasive implantation and long-term neural activity recordings

Stiffness-tunable neurotentacles for minimally invasive implantation and long-term neural activity recordings | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Stiffness-tunable neurotentacles for minimally invasive implantation and long-term neural activity recordings Weihua Pei, Yang Wang, Xing Xu, Xiaowei Yang, Rongyu Tang, Ying Chen, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6052041/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Flexible microelectrodes are ideal for chronic neural recordings but face challenges in probe insertion due to low bending strength. Here we have proposed a stiffness-tunable polyimide probe for deep brain implantation, referred to as Neurotentacle, enabled by embedded microchannels in which the liquid pressure is controllable. During insertion, the neurotentacle becomes stiff under elevated internal pressure, allowing penetration of brain tissue without additional materials or tools. Once inserted, it regains flexibility by reducing the internal pressure. The proposed multilayer microfabrication process maintains structural dimensions similar to traditional flexible probes. This minimizes tissue damage during insertion while ensuring long-term biocompatibility and stability, confirmed by histological evaluations in both acute and chronic animal models. In long-term recordings, neurotentacles outperform traditional shuttle-based implantation methods. The technique is straightforward, controllable, and does not require complex devices, making it ideal for minimally invasive implantation and long-term neural recordings. Physical sciences/Engineering/Biomedical engineering Physical sciences/Engineering/Electrical and electronic engineering Physical sciences/Nanoscience and technology/Nanoscale devices/Biosensors Physical sciences/Nanoscience and technology/Nanoscale devices/Electronic devices Flexible electrodes Stiffness-tunable Neurotentacles Implantation method Electrophysiology recording Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files SupplementaryMaterial.pdf MovieS1.mp4 Movie S1 movies2.mp4 Movie S2 movies3.mp4 Movie S3 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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