title: Biologically compatible neural interface to safely couple nanocoated electrodes to the surface of the brain.
abstract: The ongoing interest in densely packed miniaturized electrode arrays for high-resolution epicortical recordings has induced many researchers to explore the use of nanomaterial coatings to reduce electrode impedance while increasing signal-to-noise ratio and charge injection capability. Although these materials are very effective, their use in clinical practice is strongly inhibited by concerns about the potential risks derived from the use of nanomaterials in direct contact with the human brain. In this work we propose a novel approach to safely couple nanocoated electrodes to the brain surface by encapsulating them with a biocompatible hydrogel. We prove that fibrin hydrogel coating over nanocoated high-density arrays of epicortical microelectrodes is electrically transparent and allows avoiding direct exposure of the brain tissue to the nanocoatings while maintaining all the advantages derived from the nanostructured electrode surface. This method may make available acute and sub-acute neural recordings with nanocoated high-resolution arrays for clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castagnola
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ansaldo
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maggiolini
authors.forename: Gian Nicola
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Angotzi
authors.forename: Miran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skrap
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fadiga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004566:Electrodes; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D051381:Rats; D012449:Safety; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels