Name: Open-source Toolkit: Benchtop Carbon Fiber Microelectrode Array for Nerve Recording (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2021-10-29T14:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 7 min 50 s
Description: Learn to fabricate customizable carbon fiber electrode arrays for in vivo nerve and brain recordings without cleanroom experience. This accessible method enables precise neural signal acquisition with minimal tissue damage.

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This work was financially supported by the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (UF1NS107659 and UF1NS115817) and the National Science Foundation (1707316). The authors acknowledge financial support from the University of Michigan College of Engineering and technical support from the Michigan Center for Materials Characterization and the Van Vlack Undergraduate Laboratory. The authors thank Dr. Khalil Najafi for the use of his Nd:YAG laser and the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility for the use of their Parylene C deposition machine. We would also like to thank Specialty Coating Systems (Indianapolis, IN) for their help in the commercial coating comparison study.

<ol><li>Szostak, K. M., Grand, L., Constandinou, T. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Neural+interfaces+for+intracortical+recording%3A+Requirements%2C+fabrication+methods%2C+and+characteristics%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Frontiers+in+Neuroscience%22%5BJournal%5D)">Neural interfaces for intracortical recording: Requirements, fabrication methods, and characteristics.</a> Frontiers in Neuroscience. 11, 665(2017).</li>
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<li>Yoshida Kozai, T. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Ultrasmall+implantable+composite+microelectrodes+with+bioactive+surfaces+for+chronic+neural+interfaces%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nature+Materials%22%5BJournal%5D)">Ultrasmall implantable composite microelectrodes with bioactive surfaces for chronic neural interfaces.</a> Nature Materials. 11 (12), 1065-1073 (2012).</li>
<li>Saito, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Application+of+carbon+fibers+to+biomaterials%3A+A+new+era+of+nano-level+control+of+carbon+fibers+after+30-years+of+development%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Chemical+Society+Reviews%22%5BJournal%5D)">Application of carbon fibers to biomaterials: A new era of nano-level control of carbon fibers after 30-years of development.</a> Chemical Society Reviews. 40 (7), 3824-3834 (2011).</li>
<li>Welle, E. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Fabrication+and+characterization+of+a+carbon+fiber+peripheral+nerve+electrode+appropriate+for+chronic+recording%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22FASEB+Journal%22%5BJournal%5D)">Fabrication and characterization of a carbon fiber peripheral nerve electrode appropriate for chronic recording.</a> FASEB Journal. 34 (1), 1(2020).</li>
<li>Guitchounts, G., Cox, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((64-Channel+carbon+fiber+electrode+arrays+for+chronic+electrophysiology%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Scientific+Reports%22%5BJournal%5D)">64-Channel carbon fiber electrode arrays for chronic electrophysiology.</a> Scientific Reports. 10 (1), 3830(2020).</li>
<li>Patel, P. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((High+density+carbon+fiber+arrays+for+chronic+electrophysiology%2C+fast+scan+cyclic+voltammetry%2C+and+correlative+anatomy%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neural+Engineering%22%5BJournal%5D)">High density carbon fiber arrays for chronic electrophysiology, fast scan cyclic voltammetry, and correlative anatomy.</a> Journal of Neural Engineering. 17 (5), 056029(2020).</li>
<li>Massey, T. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Open-source+automated+system+for+assembling+a+high-density+microwire+neural+recording+array%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%222016+International+Conference+on+Manipulation%2C+Automation+and+Robotics+at+Small+Scales+%28MARSS%29%22%5BJournal%5D)">Open-source automated system for assembling a high-density microwire neural recording array.</a> 2016 International Conference on Manipulation, Automation and Robotics at Small Scales (MARSS). , 1-7 (2016).</li>
<li>Schwerdt, H. N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Subcellular+probes+for+neurochemical+recording+from+multiple+brain+sites%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Lab+Chip%22%5BJournal%5D)">Subcellular probes for neurochemical recording from multiple brain sites.</a> Lab Chip. 17, 1104-1115 (2017).</li>
<li>Welle, E. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Ultra-small+carbon+fiber+electrode+recording+site+optimization+and+improved+in+vivo+chronic+recording+yield%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neural+Engineering%22%5BJournal%5D)">Ultra-small carbon fiber electrode recording site optimization and improved in vivo chronic recording yield.</a> Journal of Neural Engineering. 17 (2), 026037(2020).</li>
<li>Guitchounts, G., Markowitz, J. E., Liberti, W. A., Gardner, T. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+carbon-fiber+electrode+array+for+long-term+neural+recording%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neural+Engineering%22%5BJournal%5D)">A carbon-fiber electrode array for long-term neural recording.</a> Journal of Neural Engineering. 10 (4), 046016(2013).</li>
<li>Gillis, W. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Carbon+fiber+on+polyimide+ultra-microelectrodes%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neural+Engineering%22%5BJournal%5D)">Carbon fiber on polyimide ultra-microelectrodes.</a> Journal of Neural Engineering. 15 (1), 016010(2018).</li>
<li>Dong, T., Chen, L., Shih, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Laser+sharpening+of+carbon+fiber+microelectrode+arrays+for+brain+recording%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Micro+and+Nano-Manufacturing%22%5BJournal%5D)">Laser sharpening of carbon fiber microelectrode arrays for brain recording.</a> Journal of Micro and Nano-Manufacturing. 8 (4), 041013(2020).</li>
<li>Massey, T. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+high-density+carbon+fiber+neural+recording+array+technology%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Neural+Engineering%22%5BJournal%5D)">A high-density carbon fiber neural recording array technology.</a> Journal of Neural Engineering. 16 (1), 016024(2019).</li>
<li>Romeni, S., Valle, G., Mazzoni, A., Micera, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Tutorial%3A+a+computational+framework+for+the+design+and+optimization+of+peripheral+neural+interfaces%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nature+Protocols%22%5BJournal%5D)">Tutorial: a computational framework for the design and optimization of peripheral neural interfaces.</a> Nature Protocols. 15 (10), 3129-3153 (2020).</li>
<li>Khani, H., Wipf, D. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Fabrication+of+tip-protected+polymer-coated+carbon-fiber+ultramicroelectrodes+and+pH+ultramicroelectrodes%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+The+Electrochemical+Society%22%5BJournal%5D)">Fabrication of tip-protected polymer-coated carbon-fiber ultramicroelectrodes and pH ultramicroelectrodes.</a> Journal of The Electrochemical Society. 166 (8), 673-679 (2019).</li>
<li>El-Giar, E. E. D. M., Wipf, D. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Preparation+of+tip-protected+poly%28oxyphenylene%29+coated+carbon-fiber+ultramicroelectrodes%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Electroanalysis%22%5BJournal%5D)">Preparation of tip-protected poly(oxyphenylene) coated carbon-fiber ultramicroelectrodes.</a> Electroanalysis. 18 (23), 2281-2289 (2006).</li>
<li>Venkatraman, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((In+vitro+and+in+vivo+evaluation+of+PEDOT+microelectrodes+for+neural+stimulation+and+recording%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22IEEE+Transactions+on+Neural+Systems+and+Rehabilitation+Engineering%22%5BJournal%5D)">In vitro and in vivo evaluation of PEDOT microelectrodes for neural stimulation and recording.</a> IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. 19 (3), 307-316 (2011).</li>
<li>Petrossians, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Electrodeposition+and+Characterization+of+Thin-Film+Platinum-Iridium+Alloys+for+Biological+Interfaces%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+the+Electrochemical+Society%22%5BJournal%5D)">Electrodeposition and Characterization of Thin-Film Platinum-Iridium Alloys for Biological Interfaces.</a> Journal of the Electrochemical Society. 158 (6), 269-276 (2011).</li>
<li>Lee, C. D., Hudak, E. M., Whalen, J. J., Petrossians, A., Weiland, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Low-impedance%2C+high+surface+area+Pt-Ir+electrodeposited+on+cochlear+implant+electrodes%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+The+Electrochemical+Society%22%5BJournal%5D)">Low-impedance, high surface area Pt-Ir electrodeposited on cochlear implant electrodes.</a> Journal of The Electrochemical Society. 165 (12), 3015-3017 (2018).</li>
<li>Cassar, I. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Electrodeposited+platinum-iridium+coating+improves+in+vivo+recording+performance+of+chronically+implanted+microelectrode+arrays%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Biomaterials%22%5BJournal%5D)">Electrodeposited platinum-iridium coating improves in vivo recording performance of chronically implanted microelectrode arrays.</a> Biomaterials. 205, 120-132 (2019).</li>
<li>Taylor, I. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Enhanced+dopamine+detection+sensitivity+by+PEDOT%2Fgraphene+oxide+coating+on+in+vivo+carbon+fiber+electrodes%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Biosensors+and+Bioelectronics%22%5BJournal%5D)">Enhanced dopamine detection sensitivity by PEDOT/graphene oxide coating on in vivo carbon fiber electrodes.</a> Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 89, 400-410 (2017).</li>
<li>Mohanaraj, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Gold+nanoparticle+modified+carbon+fiber+microelectrodes+for+enhanced+neurochemical+detection%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Journal+of+Visualized+Experiments%3A+JoVE%22%5BJournal%5D)">Gold nanoparticle modified carbon fiber microelectrodes for enhanced neurochemical detection.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (147), e59552(2019).</li>
<li>Pusch, J., Wohlmann, B. Chapter 2 - Carbon fibers. <a target="_blank" href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&safe=off&q=author%3aPusch%2C+J+%22Inorganic+and+composite+fibers.+Production%2C+properties%2C+and+applications%22">Inorganic and composite fibers. Production, properties, and applications</a>. , Woodhead Publishing. 31-51 (2019).</li>
<li>Budai, D., Hernádi, I., Mészáros, B., Bali, Z. K., Gulya, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Electrochemical+responses+of+carbon+fiber+microelectrodes+to+dopamine+in+vitro+and+in+vivo%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Acta+Biologica+Szegediensis%22%5BJournal%5D)">Electrochemical responses of carbon fiber microelectrodes to dopamine in vitro and in vivo.</a> Acta Biologica Szegediensis. 54 (2), 155-160 (2010).</li>
</ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Material substitutions 
While all materials used are summarized in the Table of Materials, very few of the materials are required to come from specific vendors. The Flex Array board must come from the listed vendor as they are the only company that can print the flexible board. The Flex Array connector must also be ordered from the vendor listed as it is a proprietary connector. Parylene C is highly recommended as the insulation material for the fibers as it provides a conformal coa...

Much of neuroscience research relies upon recording neural signals using electrophysiology (ePhys). These neural signals are crucial to understanding the functions of neural networks and novel medical treatments such as brain machine and peripheral nerve interfaces1,2,3,4,5,6. Research surrounding peripheral nerves requires custom-made or commercially available neural recording electrodes. Neural recording electrodes-unique tools with micron-scale dimensions and fragile materials-require a specialized set of skills and equipment to fabricate. A variety of specialized probes have been developed for specific end uses; however, this implies that experiments must be designed around currently available commercial probes, or a laboratory must invest in the development of a specialized probe, which is a lengthy process. Due to the wide variety of neural research in peripheral nerve, there is high demand for a versatile ePhys probe4,7,8. An ideal ePhys probe would feature a small recording site, low impedance9, and a financially realistic price point for implementation in a system3.
Current commercial electrodes tend to either be extraneural or cuff electrodes (Neural Cuff10, MicroProbes Nerve Cuff Electrode11), which sit outside the nerve, or intrafascicular, which penetrate the nerve and sit within the fascicle of interest. However, as cuff electrodes sit further away from the fibers, they pick up more noise from nearby muscles and other fascicles that may not be the target. These probes also tend to constrict the nerve, which can lead to biofouling-a build-up of glial cells and scar tissue-at the electrode interface while the tissue heals. Intrafascicular electrodes (such as LIFE12, TIME13, and Utah Arrays14) add the benefit of fascicle selectivity and have good signal-to-noise ratios, which is important in discriminating signals for machine interfacing. However, these probes do have issues with biocompatibility, with nerves becoming deformed over time3,15,16. When bought commercially, both these probes have static designs with no option for experiment-specific customization and are costly for newer laboratories.
In response to the high cost and biocompatibility issues presented by other probes, carbon fiber electrodes may offer an avenue for neuroscience laboratories to build their own probes without the need for specialized equipment. Carbon fibers are an alternative recording material with a small form factor that allows for low damage insertion. Carbon fibers provide better biocompatibility and considerably lower scar response than silicon17,18,19 without the intensive cleanroom processing5,13,14. Carbon fibers are flexible, durable, easily integrated with other biomaterials19, and can penetrate and record from nerve7,20. Despite the many advantages of carbon fibers, many laboratories find the manual fabrication of these arrays arduous. Some groups21 combine carbon fibers into bundles that collectively result in a larger (~200 &#181;m) diameter; however, to our knowledge, these bundles have not been verified in nerve. Others have fabricated individuated carbon fiber electrode arrays, although their methods require cleanroom-fabricated carbon fiber guides22,23,24 and equipment to populate their arrays17,23,24. To address this, we propose a method of fabricating a carbon fiber array that can be performed at the laboratory benchtop that allows for impromptu modifications. The resulting array maintains individuated electrode tips without specialized fiber populating tools. Additionally, multiple geometries are presented to match the needs of the research experiment. Building from previous work8,17,22,25, this paper provides detailed methodologies to build and modify several styles of arrays manually with minimal cleanroom training time needed.

<table><tbody><tr><td>3 prong clams</td><td>05-769-6Q</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 2&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 20</td></tr><tr><td>3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (25 g)&lt;br/&gt; (PEDOT)</td><td>96618</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 102</td></tr><tr><td>353ND-T Epoxy (8oz)++&lt;br/&gt; (ZIF and Wide Board Only)</td><td>353ND-T/8OZ</td><td>Epoxy Technology</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 48</td></tr><tr><td>Ag/AgCl (3M NaCl) Reference Electrode (pack of 3)</td><td>50-854-570</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 100</td></tr><tr><td>Autolab</td><td>PGSTAT12</td><td>Metrohm</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Blowtorch</td><td>1WG61</td><td>Grainger</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 36</td></tr><tr><td>Carbon Fibers</td><td>T-650/35 3K</td><td>Cytec Thornel</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Carbon tape</td><td>NC1784521</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 27</td></tr><tr><td>Cotton Tipped Applicator</td><td>WOD1002</td><td>MediChoice</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 0.57</td></tr><tr><td>Delayed Set Epoxy++</td><td>1FBG8</td><td>Grainger</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 3</td></tr><tr><td>DI Water</td><td>n/a</td><td>n/a</td><td>Qty: n/a&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Dumont Tweezers #5</td><td>50-822-409</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 73</td></tr><tr><td>Flex Array**</td><td>n/a</td><td>MicroConnex</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 68</td></tr><tr><td>Flux</td><td>SMD291ST8CC</td><td>DigiKey</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 13</td></tr><tr><td>Glass Capillaries (pack of 350)</td><td>50-821-986</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 60</td></tr><tr><td>Glass Dish</td><td>n/a</td><td>n/a</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Hirose Connector&lt;br/&gt; (ZIF Only)</td><td>H3859CT-ND</td><td>DigiKey</td><td>Qty: 2&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 2</td></tr><tr><td>Light-resistant Glass Bottle</td><td>n/a</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Micropipette Heating Filiment</td><td>FB315B</td><td>Sutter Instrument Co</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Micropipette Puller</td><td>P-97</td><td>Sutter Instrument Co</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Nitrile Gloves (pack of 200)</td><td>19-041-171C</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 47</td></tr><tr><td>Offline Sorter software</td><td>n/a</td><td>Plexon</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Omnetics Connector*&lt;br/&gt; (Flex Array Only)</td><td>A79025-001</td><td>Omnetics Inc</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 35</td></tr><tr><td>Omnetics Connector*&lt;br/&gt; (Flex Array Only)</td><td>A79024-001</td><td>Omnetics Inc</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 35</td></tr><tr><td>Omnetics to ZIF connector</td><td>ZCA-OMN16</td><td>Tucker-Davis Technologies</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Pin Terminal Connector&lt;br/&gt; (Wide Board Only)</td><td>ED11523-ND</td><td>DigiKey</td><td>Qty: 16&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 10</td></tr><tr><td>Probe storage box</td><td>G2085</td><td>Melmat</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 2</td></tr><tr><td>Razor Blade</td><td>4A807</td><td>Grainger</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 2</td></tr><tr><td>SEM post</td><td>16327</td><td>lnf</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 3</td></tr><tr><td>Silver Epoxy (1oz)++</td><td>H20E/1OZ</td><td>Epoxy Technology</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 125</td></tr><tr><td>Silver GND REF wires</td><td>50-822-122</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 423.2</td></tr><tr><td>Sodium p-toulenesulphonate(pTS)- 100g</td><td>152536</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 59</td></tr><tr><td>Solder</td><td>24-6337-9703</td><td>DigiKey</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 60</td></tr><tr><td>Soldering Iron Tip</td><td>T0054449899N-ND</td><td>Digikey</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 13</td></tr><tr><td>Soldering Station</td><td>WD1002N-ND</td><td>Digikey</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 374</td></tr><tr><td>SpotCure-B UV LED Cure System</td><td>n/a</td><td>FusionNet LLC</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 895</td></tr><tr><td>Stainless steel rod</td><td>n/a</td><td>n/a</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Stir Plate</td><td>n/a</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): n/a</td></tr><tr><td>Surgical Scissors</td><td>08-953-1B</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 100</td></tr><tr><td>TDT Shroud&lt;br/&gt; (ZIF Only)</td><td>Z3_ZC16SHRD_RSN</td><td>TDT</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 3.5</td></tr><tr><td>Teflon Tweezers</td><td>50-380-043</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 47</td></tr><tr><td>UV &amp;amp; Visible Light Safety Glassees</td><td>92522</td><td>Loctite</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 45</td></tr><tr><td>UV Epoxy (8oz)++&lt;br/&gt; (Flex Array Only)</td><td>OG142-87/8OZ</td><td>Epoxy Technology</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 83</td></tr><tr><td>UV Laser</td><td>n/a</td><td>WER</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 30</td></tr><tr><td>Weigh boat&lt;br/&gt; (pack of 500)</td><td>08-732-112</td><td>Fisher</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 58</td></tr><tr><td>Wide Board+</td><td>n/a</td><td>Advanced Circuits</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 3</td></tr><tr><td>ZIF Active Headstage</td><td>ZC16</td><td>Tucker-Davis Technologies</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 925</td></tr><tr><td>ZIF Passive Headstage</td><td>ZC16-P</td><td>Tucker-Davis Technologies</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 625</td></tr><tr><td>ZIF*</td><td>n/a</td><td>Coast to Coast Circuits</td><td>Qty: 1&lt;br/&gt; Unit Cost (USD): 9</td></tr></tbody></table>

open-source toolkit: benchtop carbon fiber microelectrode array for nerve recording

Open-source Toolkit: Benchtop Carbon Fiber Microelectrode Array for Nerve Recording

Conventional peripheral nerve probes are primarily fabricated in a cleanroom, requiring the use of multiple expensive and highly specialized tools. This paper presents a cleanroom "light" fabrication process of carbon fiber neural electrode arrays that can be learned quickly by an inexperienced cleanroom user. This carbon fiber electrode array fabrication process requires just one cleanroom tool, a Parylene C deposition machine, that can be learned quickly or outsourced to a commercial processing facility at marginal cost. This fabrication process also includes hand-populating printed circuit boards, insulation, and tip optimization. 
The three different tip optimizations explored here (Nd:YAG laser, blowtorch, and UV laser) result in a range of tip geometries and 1 kHz impedances, with blowtorched fibers resulting in the lowest impedance. While previous experiments have proven laser and blowtorch electrode efficacy, this paper also shows that UV laser-cut fibers can record neural signals in vivo. Existing carbon fiber arrays either do not have individuated electrodes in favor of bundles or require cleanroom fabricated guides for population and insulation. The proposed arrays use only tools that can be used at a benchtop for fiber population. This carbon fiber electrode array fabrication process allows for quick customization of bulk array fabrication at a reduced price compared to commercially available probes.

Tip validation: SEM images 
Previous work20 showed that scissor cutting resulted in unreliable impedances as Parylene C folded across the recording site. Scissor cutting is used here only to cut fibers to the desired length before processing with an additional finish cutting method. SEM images of the tips were used to determine the exposed carbon length and tip geometry (Figure 8).
Scissor and Nd:YAG laser-cut fibers wer...

Here, we describe fabrication methodology for customizable carbon fiber electrode arrays for recording in vivo in nerve and brain.

Conventional peripheral nerve probes are primarily fabricated in a cleanroom, requiring the use of multiple expensive and highly specialized tools. This ...

open-source-toolkit-benchtop-carbon-fiber-microelectrode-array-for

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

The video demonstrates how to use a microelectrode array (MEA) to record the electrophysiological activity of neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Electrophysiological activity from a multiwell MEA containing a neuron-astrocyte co-culture is recorded to detect action potentials from multiple neurons in the network, confirming the successful differentiation of hiPSCs into neurons.

Measuring the Electrophysiological Activity of Neuronal Networks Using Micro-Electrode Arrays

This video demonstrates the procedure to set up a recording chamber with a penetrating microelectrode array (PMEA) to capture neural signals from an unfolded hippocampus. This method allows us to study the speed and direction of propagation of neural activity within the unfolded hippocampus in vitro.

Recording Neural Activity of Unfolded Hippocampal Tissue Using Penetrating Microelectrode Array

This video demonstrates a microelectrode array-based assay for studying neuronal network activity in mouse spinal cord sections. First, the electrophysiological activity from the superficial dorsal horn (SDH) of the slice is recorded. Then, a potassium channel inhibitor is introduced to prolong depolarization, resulting in synchronous rhythmic activity across the neuronal network.

Microelectrode Array-Based Assessment of Neuronal Networks in Mouse Spinal Cord Slices

This video demonstrates the fabrication of a flat nerve-wrapping electrode. It showcases the integration of shielding metal and precise polymer layering for an effective recording surface. The process involves attaching, curing, trimming, and cutting polymer layers for optimal nerve contact and accurate signal recording.

Fabrication of Flat-Interface Nerve Electrodes for Recording Neural Activity

Different electrode coatings affect neural recording performance through changes to electrochemical, chemical and mechanical properties. Comparison of electrodes in vitro is relatively simple, however comparison of in vivo response is typically complicated by variations in electrode/neuron distance and between animals. This article provides a robust method to compare neural recording electrodes.

A Method for Systematic Electrochemical and Electrophysiological Evaluation of Neural Recording Electrodes

Shuttle-box avoidance learning is well-established in behavioral neuroscience. This protocol describes how shuttle-box learning in rodents can be combined with site-specific electrical intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) and simultaneous chronical in vivo recordings as a tool to study multiple aspects of learning and perception.

Combined Shuttle-Box Training with Electrophysiological Cortex Recording and Stimulation as a Tool to Study Perception and Learning

This article provides a detailed description on the fabrication process of a high contact-density flat interface nerve electrode (FINE). This electrode is optimized for recording and stimulating neural activity selectively within peripheral nerves.

Fabrication of High Contact-Density, Flat-Interface Nerve Electrodes for Recording and Stimulation Applications

In this study, the methodology is presented on how to perform multi-site in vivo electrophysiological recordings from the hyperdirect pathway under urethane anesthesia.

Acute In Vivo Electrophysiological Recordings of Local Field Potentials and Multi-unit Activity from the Hyperdirect Pathway in Anesthetized Rats

We describe here a method for fabricating Ti3C2 MXene microelectrode arrays and utilizing them for in vivo neural recording.

Fabrication of Ti3C2 MXene Microelectrode Arrays for In Vivo Neural Recording

This protocol describes a procedure for constructing carbon fiber microelectrode arrays for chronic and acute in vivo electrophysiological recordings in mouse (Mus musculus) and ferret (Mustela putorius furo) from multiple brain regions. Each step, following the purchase of raw carbon fibers to microelectrode array implantation, is described in detail, with emphasis on microelectrode array construction.

Construction and Implementation of Carbon Fiber Microelectrode Arrays for Chronic and Acute In Vivo Recordings

The combined use of microelectrode array technology and 4-aminopyridine-induced chemical stimulation for investigating network-level nociceptive activity in the spinal cord dorsal horn is outlined.

Recording Network Activity in Spinal Nociceptive Circuits Using Microelectrode Arrays

Learn to fabricate customizable carbon fiber electrode arrays for in vivo nerve and brain recordings without cleanroom experience. This accessible method enables precise neural signal acquisition with minimal tissue damage.

Open-source Toolkit: Benchtop Carbon Fiber Microelectrode Array for Nerve Recording

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