Electrodes for interfacing implantable electronics and neural tissue are of great importance to gain a better understanding of the nervous system and to help people suffering from impaired body functions due to nerve lesions or lost organ functionality. In particular, neurostimulation techniques for bioelectronic medicine rely on the development of mechanically and electrochemically stable electrodes. While contemporary electrodes are based mainly on metals, new materials are being designed to enhance the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the interface. In this work, a nerve interface based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) embedded in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is fabricated and investigated. The fabrication process relies on the selective vacuum filtration of CNT suspensions through a printed wax pattern. The mechanical and electrochemical stability of the nerve interface was validated by 10 000 stretching cycles up to 20% strain and >4 × 106 biphasic stimulation pulses with 32 μC cm−2 per phase. The feedline resistance and electrode impedance showed only minor alterations after the stress tests. The functionality of the nerve interface was demonstrated by successful stimulation of the central nerve cord of a horse leech applying stimulation conditions within the water window of the CNT/PDMS electrodes. This work shows the practical usability of CNT/PDMS composites as electrodes and feedlines in peripheral nerve interfaces for future neuroprosthetic devices.

中文翻译：

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由嵌入硅树脂中的碳纳米管制成的软外周神经接口

用于连接可植入电子设备和神经组织的电极对于更好地了解神经系统并帮助因神经损伤或器官功能丧失而遭受身体功能损害的人非常重要。特别是，生物电子医学的神经刺激技术依赖于机械和电化学稳定电极的开发。虽然现代电极主要基于金属，但正在设计新材料以增强界面的机械和电化学性能。在这项工作中，制造和研究了基于嵌入聚二甲基硅氧烷 (PDMS) 中的碳纳米管 (CNT) 的神经界面。制造过程依赖于通过印刷蜡图案对 CNT 悬浮液进行选择性真空过滤。神经界面的机械和电化学稳定性通过高达 20% 应变的 10 000 次拉伸循环和 >4 × 106 双相刺激脉冲（每相 32 μC cm-2）进行验证。在压力测试之后，馈线电阻和电极阻抗仅显示出很小的变化。通过在 CNT/PDMS 电极的水窗内应用刺激条件成功刺激马水蛭的中枢神经索，证明了神经接口的功能。这项工作展示了 CNT/PDMS 复合材料作为未来神经假体装置周围神经接口中的电极和馈线的实际可用性。在压力测试之后，馈线电阻和电极阻抗仅显示出很小的变化。通过在 CNT/PDMS 电极的水窗内应用刺激条件成功刺激马水蛭的中枢神经索，证明了神经接口的功能。这项工作展示了 CNT/PDMS 复合材料作为未来神经假体装置周围神经接口中的电极和馈线的实际可用性。在压力测试之后，馈线电阻和电极阻抗仅显示出很小的变化。通过在 CNT/PDMS 电极的水窗内应用刺激条件成功刺激马水蛭的中枢神经索，证明了神经接口的功能。这项工作展示了 CNT/PDMS 复合材料作为未来神经假体装置周围神经接口中的电极和馈线的实际可用性。