The spiral peripheral nerve interface: Design, fabrication and performance

Journal article

We have developed a novel peripheral nerve interface device based on photosensitive polyimides in which nerve fibres regenerate through channels containing electrodes. These Spiral Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (SPNIs) are fabricated by spin coating and curing a layer of polyimide resin onto a silcon handle wafer. Channels 100μm wide are defined in a 100..m thick photosensitive polyimide (PSPI) layer photolithographically. Metal wiring is integrated between the two and encapsulated using a thinner PSPI layer. This design has advantages over others in terms of both recording and stimulation. Initial tests of the device carried out in-vivo show successful regeneration and have demonstrated that we can record signals from regenerated axons. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Authors: Tarte, E; Fitzgerald, J; Lago, N; Benmerah, S; Serra, J

• Journal: IFMBE Proceedings
• Volume: 37
• Pages: 1338-1341
• Publication date: 2011-01-01
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-23508-5_345
• ISSN: 1680-0737
• Language: English
• Keywords: prosthesis; Neural interface; peripheral nerve