Biomimetic Design of Biocompatible Neural Probes for Deep Brain Signal Monitoring and Stimulation: Super Static Interface for Immune Response-Enhanced Contact

Abstract

The ability to measure changes in neural activities using devices implanted in the brain can be useful for recording brain signals to assess specific risk factors, monitor the development of brain diseases, and expand the understanding of neural circuitry. Here, a neuroimplantable interface is introduced that integrates biomaterials with an advanced structural design to facilitate monitoring of electrophysiological responses in widespread brain regions. The neural interface uses biocompatible and photopatternable materials to create ultrathin, homogeneous encapsulant/substrate laminates. Comprehensive in vitro tests of the laminin-enveloped neural interface demonstrate efficacy in relieving inflammation via a biomimetic strategy by diminishing microglia and astrocyte aggregation near recording sites, enhancing periodic signal acquisition. The performance is evaluated by injecting an acetylcholine receptor agonist into mouse brains. This approach enables to monitor real-time signal changes, gain insights into neural network dynamics by assessing stimulus-evoked signaling at specific sites, and identify signaling patterns and hippocampal synaptic connections. Additionally, in a Parkinson's disease mouse model, deep brain stimulation is performed and signals are recorded to confirm symptom amelioration, offering a biomedical device approach. The key strategy highlights intact neural electrodes with biocompatible, mechanically compliant materials conferring compact bioelectronic functionalities, high neuronal microenvironment compatibility, and pathological neural system recognition.