A polyimide pressure-contact multielectrode array for implantation along a submillimeter neural process in small animals.
We describe a microelectrode system for recordings from nerve bundles with diameters ranging from 20-200 microm. A novel polyimide structure allows for a planar microfabricated device to constrain a free neural process against several recording sites. This polyimide array contains multiple zigzag vias through which a small nerve process may be woven while remaining functionally intact in a live preparation. Our electrode construct features the benefits of nerve cuffs (evenly spaced electrodes in a polymer) and the functionality of a nerve hook (ability to connect to submillimeter processes). The device records extracellular action potentials in the red-swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. Action potential propagation is monitored at several sites along a constrained nerve in this model organism's peripheral nervous system. Details of temporal accuracy and error sources in absolute conduction velocity measurements from microelectrode arrays are discussed.
Lott
Gus K
GK
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. lottg@janelia.hhmi.org
Hoy
Ronald R
RR
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D003400:Astacoidea; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000662:veterinary*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008904:Miniaturization; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000737:chemistry
D012117:Resins, Synthetic; C029945:polyimide resin