Fabrication of Flat-Interface Nerve Electrodes for Recording Neural Activity

Start with a flat nerve-wrapping electrode placed on a silicone sheet, a transparency sheet, and a guiding sketch.

This setup contains reference and recording contacts connected by fine insulated wires, spacers, and suturing holes.

Place a shielding metal on the polymer layer covering the electrode to block unwanted signals from surrounding nerves.

Apply a polymer to attach the metal piece and let it solidify.

Attach protective adhesive tape and layer a polymer over the shielding metal.

Place a plastic layer on top and press to flatten it.

After solidifying, remove the excess polymer and the tape.

Expose the spacer and cut the polymer around the electrode.

Trim the excess polymer on the wire.

Cut the polymer covering the shielding metal.

Detach the electrode from the base layers using a thread.

Flip it and cut the polymer over the center and reference contacts to expose the recording surface.

Finally, wrap the electrode around the nerve to record signals.

To add a shielding layer, remove the large fixture bar, and remove the transparency piece with tweezers. Then, place the shielding sheet in the center of each face of the electrode and gently press it into the electrode.

Then, dep