The ultra-thin, minimally invasive surface electrode array NeuroWeb for probing neural activity

Abstract

Electrophysiological recording technologies can provide valuable insights into the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Surface electrode arrays made of soft materials or implantable multi-electrode arrays with high electrode density have been widely utilized as neural probes. However, neither of these probe types can simultaneously achieve minimal invasiveness and robust neural signal detection. Here, we present an ultra-thin, minimally invasive neural probe (the “NeuroWeb”) consisting of hexagonal boron nitride and graphene, which leverages the strengths of both surface electrode array and implantable multi-electrode array. The NeuroWeb open lattice structure with a total thickness of 100 nm demonstrates high flexibility and strong adhesion, establishing a conformal and tight interface with the uneven mouse brain surface. In vivo electrophysiological recordings show that NeuroWeb detects stable single-unit activity of neurons with high signal-to-noise ratios. Furthermore, we investigate neural interactions between the somatosensory cortex and the cerebellum using transparent dual NeuroWebs and optical stimulation, and measure the times of neural signal transmission between the brain regions depending on the pathway. Therefore, NeuroWeb can be expected to pave the way for understanding complex brain networks with optical and electrophysiological mapping of the brain.