Fabrication of micro-wire stent electrode as a minimally invasive endovascular neural interface for vascular electrocorticography using laser ablation method.

Abstract

Objective. Minimally invasive endovascular stent electrode is a currently emerging technology in neural engineering with minimal damage to the neural tissue. However, the typical stent electrode still requires resistive welding and is relatively large, limiting its application mainly on the large animal or thick vessels. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of laser ablation of micro-wire stent electrode with a diameter as small as 25μmand verified it in the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) of a rat.Approach. We have developed a laser ablation technology to expose the electrode sites of the micro-wire on both sides without damaging the wire itself. During laser ablation, we applied a new method to fix and realign the micro-wires. The micro-wire stent electrode was fabricated by carefully assemble the micro-wire and stent. We tested the electrochemical performances of the electrodes as a neural interface. Finally, we deployed the stent electrode in a rat to verified the feasibility.Main result. Based on the proposed micro-wire stent electrode, we demonstrated that the stent electrode could be successfully deployed in a rat. With the benefit of the smaller design and laser fabrication technology, it can be fitted into a catheter with an inner diameter of 0.6mm. The vascular electrocorticography can be detected during the acute recording, making it promising in the application of small animals and thin vessels.Significance. The method we proposed combines the advantages of endovascular micro-wire electrode and stent, helping make the electrodes smaller. This study provided an alternative method for deploying micro-wire electrodes into thinner vessels as an endovascular neural interface.