Flexible Neural Electrode Array Based-in vivo bioelectronic nose

Abstract

Mammals have olfactory systems with much higher specificity than those artificial electronic noses in some odor discrimination tasks. In this paper, we propose a method to record the olfactory activities of mice based on implantable flexible neural electrode array and expect to research the odor response pattern and build in vivo bioelectronic nose with minor impact. Here, flexible neural electrode array were designed and manufactured. They were implanted into the mouse olfactory epithelium (OE) and olfactory bulb (OB) using a removable insertion shuttle. Simultaneously recorded local field potential (LFP) before and after odor application was analyzed. The results showed that when animal detect a specific odor, the LFP in OE and OB exhibit significant enhancement in the beta/gamma band. That is, the flexible neural electrode array could successfully record the electrical neural signals of the olfactory epithelium and the olfactory bulb. Collectively, we demonstrated the feasibility of electrophysiological recording of the peripheral and central olfactory system by flexible neural electrodes.