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Techniques to study brain activities have evolved dramatically, yet tremendous challenges remain in acquiring high-throughput electrophysiological recordings minimally invasively. Here, we develop an integrated neuroelectronic array that is filamentary, high-density and flexible. Specifically, with a design of single-transistor multiplexing and current sensing, the total 256 neuroelectrodes achieve only a 2.3 × 0.3 mm²area, unprecedentedly on a flexible substrate. A single-transistor multiplexing acquisition circuit further reduces noise from the electrodes, decreases the footprint of each pixel, and potentially increases the device’s lifetime. The filamentary neuroelectronic array also integrates with a rollable contact pad design, allowing the device to be injected through a syringe, enabling potential minimally invasive array delivery. Successful acute auditory experiments in rats validate the ability of the array to record neural signals with high tone decoding accuracy. Together, these results establish soft, high-density neuroelectronic arrays as promising devices for neuroscience research and clinical applications.

 

Abstract Neural interfaces bridge the nervous system and the outside world by recording and stimulating neurons. Combining electrical and optical modalities in a single, hybrid neural interface system could lead to complementary and powerful new ways to explore the brain. This convergent approach has gained robust and exciting momentum recently in neuroscience and neural engineering research. Here, we review developments in the past several years aiming to achieve such hybrid electrical and optical microsystem platforms. Specifically, we cover three major categories of technological advances: transparent neuroelectrodes, optical neural fibers with electrodes, and neural probes/grids integrating electrodes and microscale light-emitting diodes. We analyze examples of these probes tailored to combine electrophysiological recording with optical imaging or optical stimulation of the brain and discuss possible directions of future innovation.