Nanofabricated Neural Probe System for Dense 3-D Recordings of Brain Activity

Citation

Rios, Gustavo (2016) Nanofabricated Neural Probe System for Dense 3-D Recordings of Brain Activity. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/Z9BG2M0B. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:05172016-133516099

Abstract

Computations in brain circuits involve the coordinated activation of large populations of neurons distributed across brain areas. However, monitoring neuronal activity in the brain of intact animals with high temporal and spatial resolution has remained a technological challenge. Here we address this challenge by developing dense, three-dimensional (3-D) electrode array system for electrophysiology. The front-end of the system is composed of nanofabricated neural probes with ultrathin shanks that are engineered to minimize tissue damage. The probes are connected via flexible cables to custom PCBs that multiplex the electrophysiological signals. This system architecture decouples the front-end both mechanically and thermally from the PCB which carries all active electronics for signal conditioning and multiplexing. This system was validated in vivo with hippocampal recordings from head-fixed mice. The culmination of these efforts was a 3-D array with 1024 sites packed within 0.6 mm³ of tissue that yielded the densest electrophysiological recordings to date.

Thesis Files