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Intra-cortical Electrodes

In order to implant multiple electrodes in the cortex such that electrode packing density will be sufficiently high, electrode design and associated insertion methods need to be sophisticated beyond those commonly used for placing small numbers of individual electrodes.

The electrode tile approach, designed by HMRI, uses arrays of 8-16 electrodes with outside dimensions on the order of 2mm. Many arrays would be used as tiles, covering the cortical V1 area. Using a custom inserter to rapidly insert the arrays, at speeds up to 1m/sec, bleeding is minimized even if penetrating blood vessels. In between the tiles, and near complex vasculature, single or dual NIH-type electrodes would be used. Electrodes are 35µm-diameter iridium shanks with Parylene-C insulation.

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