Transparent, flexible, low-noise electrodes for simultaneous electrophysiologyand neuro-imaging

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017172446-A1
Application number	US-201515300471-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 3, 2015
Priority date	Apr 3, 2014
Publication date	Jun 22, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flexible, optically transparent electrode array comprises at least one graph electrode. The electrode may be positioned on a substrate. The flexible, optically transparent electrode may be used for simultaneous optical imaging and electrophysiological monitoring.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A transparent, flexible neural electrode array comprising:
at least one graphene electrode formed on a substrate, wherein the substrate, electrodes and wires are all optically transparent.

2 . The electrode array of claim 1 , further comprising an electrically insulating material covering the electrode array except for the at least one graphene electrode.

3 . The electrode array of claim 1 , wherein the at least one graphene electrode comprises a single monolayer of graphene.

4 . The electrode array of claim 1 , wherein the at least one graphene electrode comprises a plurality of stacked graphene layers.

5 . The electrode array of claim 1 , wherein the at least one graphene electrode has a maximum dimension ranging from about 10 μm to about 500 μm.

6 . The electrode array of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrode has a maximum dimension of 50 μm.

7 . The electrode array of claim 6 , wherein the at least one electrode has a maximum dimension of 30 μm.

8 . The electrode array of claim 1 , wherein the electrode array is a penetrating electrode array.

9 . The electrode array of claim 1 , wherein the electrode array is a surface array.

10 . The electrode array of claim 1 , wherein the electrode array transmits at least 20% of visible light over the entire surface of the at least one electrode.

11 . The electrode array of claim 1 , wherein the electrode is functionalized with a biological molecule.

12 . The electrode array of claim 11 , wherein the biological molecule provides resistance to inflammation or rejection, increases biocompatibility, or provides neural stimulation.

13 . A method for simultaneous optical imaging and electrical sensing, comprising:
contacting a tissue with a transparent, flexible electrode array comprising at least one graphene electrode; optically imaging the tissue through the electrode array; and simultaneously detecting an electrical signal from the tissue with the electrode array.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein optically imaging the tissue comprises calcium imaging.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein contacting the tissue is performed in vivo.

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein contacting the tissue is performed in vitro.

17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein optically imaging the tissue comprises multi-photon imaging or optogenetic stimulation.

18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the electrode array further comprises a biological molecule for resistance to inflammation or rejection, to improve biocompatibility, or for neural stimulation.

19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein optically imaging the tissue comprises voltage sensitive dye imaging.

20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein optically imaging the tissue comprises imaging genetically encoded calcium indicators or genetically encoded voltage indicators.

Assignees

• Univ Pennsylvania

Inventors

• Kuzum Duygu
• Cubukcu Ertugrul
• Litt Brian

Classifications

• A61B2562/028

  Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS] · CPC title

• A61B5/0084

  for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B5/4839

  combined with drug delivery · CPC title

• C01P2006/40

  Electric properties · CPC title

• G01N33/5438

  Electrodes · CPC title