Development of microelectrode arrays for artificial retinal implants using liquid crystal polymers.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a liquid crystal polymer (LCP)-based, long-term implantable, retinal stimulation microelectrode array using a novel fabrication method.


METHODS
The fabrication process used laser micromachining and customized thermal-press bonding to produce LCP-based microelectrode arrays. To evaluate the fabrication process and the resultant electrode arrays, in vitro reliability tests and in vivo animal experiments were performed. The in vitro tests consisted of electrode site impedance recording and electrode interlayer adhesion monitoring during accelerated soak tests. For in vivo testing, the fabricated electrode arrays were implanted in the suprachoroidal space of rabbit eyes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electrically evoked cortical potentials (EECPs) were used to determine long-term biocompatibility and functionality of the implant.


RESULTS
The fabricated structure had a smooth, rounded edge profile and exhibited moderate flexibility, which are advantageous features for safe implantation without guide tools. After accelerated soak tests at 75 degrees C in phosphate-buffered saline, the electrode sites showed no degradation, and the interlayer adhesion of the structure showed acceptable stability for more than 2 months. The electrode arrays were safely implanted in the suprachoroidal space of rabbit eyes, and EECP waveforms were recorded. Over a 3-month postoperative period, no chorioretinal inflammation or structural deformities were observed by OCT and histologic examination.


CONCLUSIONS
LCP-based flexible microelectrode arrays can be successfully applied as retinal prostheses. The results demonstrate that such electrode arrays are safe, biocompatible, and mechanically stable and that they can be effective as part of a chronic retinal implant system.
Lee
Seung Woo
SW
School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Gwanak-gu, Korea.
Seo
Jong-Mo
JM
Ha
Seungmin
S
Kim
Eui Tae
ET
Chung
Hum
H
Kim
Sung June
SJ
D000818:Animals; D001187:Artificial Organs; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D008839:Microelectrodes; D011108:Polymers; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; C422409:liquid crystal polymer