Tools for Surface Treatment of Silicon Planar Intracortical Microelectrodes

Summary

The present protocol describes tools for handling silicon planar intracortical microelectrodes during treatments for surface modification via gas deposition and aqueous solution reactions. The assembly of the components used to handle the devices throughout the procedure is explained in detail.

Abstract

Intracortical microelectrodes hold great therapeutic potential. But they are challenged with significant performance reduction after modest implantation durations. A substantial contributor to the observed decline is the damage to the neural tissue proximal to the implant and subsequent neuroinflammatory response. Efforts to improve device longevity include chemical modifications or coating applications to the device surface to improve the tissue response. Development of such surface treatments is typically completed using non-functional "dummy" probes that lack the electrical components required for the intended application. Translation to functional devices requires additional consideration given the fragility of intracortical microelectrode arrays. Handling tools greatly facilitate surface treatments to assembled devices, particularly for modifications that require long procedural times. The handling tools described here are used for surface treatments applied via gas-phase deposition and aqueous solution exposure. Characterization of the coating is performed using ellipsometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A comparison of electrical impedance spectroscopy recordings before and after the coating procedure on functional devices confirmed device integrity following modification. The described tools can be readily adapted for alternative electrode devices and treatment methods that maintain chemical compatibility.

Introduction

Neuroprosthetic devices aim to restore impaired or absent sensory and motor abilities in a wide range of patient populations, including those with spinal cord injury, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), cerebral palsy, and amputations^1,2,3. Intracortical microelectrodes (IMEs) can establish a communication pathway between cortical neurons and the devices used to control neuroprosthetics. A distinct advantage of intracortical microelectrodes is their capability to record neural signals at the high spatial and temporal resolution, which is preferred for subsequent signal proce....

Protocol

All the coding files for 3D printing are provided in Supplementary Coding Files 1-16. The analysis provided in the Representative results is described using commercially acquired functional silicon planar electrode arrays (see Table of Materials).

1. Handling assembly for gas-phase deposition in a vacuum desiccator

NOTE: The assembled apparatus for handling and holding devices during gas-phase deposition is shown in <.......

Discussion

The described protocol was designed for the surface treatment of silicon planar microelectrode arrays. The 3D printed tools are customized to Michigan-style microelectrode arrays with low-profile connectors⁵⁰. Non-functional probes were assembled by adhering a silicon probe to 3D printed tabs using a biocompatible adhesive. The 3D printed tabs were designed with similar dimensions to the connectors incorporated on the commercially available devices used. Files for the 3D printed tabs are available.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
1-[3-(Dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide methiodide (EDC)	Sigma-Aldrich	165344-1G	Solid, stored desiccated at -20 °C
15 mL Conical Centrifuge Tubes	Fisher Scientific	14-959-70C
18 Pound Solid Nylon Cable/Zip Ties	Cole-Parmer	EW-06830-66	Length 4 inches
2-(N-Morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES)	Sigma-Aldrich	4432-31-9	Solid
3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)	Sigma-Aldrich	440140-100ML	Liquid, container with Sure/Seal
50 mL Conical Centrifuge Tubes	Fisher Scientific	14-959-49A
Aluminum foil	Fisher Scientific	01-213-103
Aluminum weighing dishes	Fisher Scientific	08-732-102	Diameter 66 mm
Bel-Art Vacuum Desiccator	Fisher Scientific	08-594-15B
Corning Costar TC-Treated Multiple Well Plates	Millipore Sigma	CLS3527-100EA	24-well plate, polystyrene
Cyanoacrylate Adhesive	LocTite	N/A
Digital Microscope	Keyence	VHX-S750E
Disco DAD3350 Dicing Saw	Disco	DAD3350	Used to cut silicon wafer into 1 cm x 1 cm samples
Double-Sided Polyimide Tape	Kapton Tape	PPTDE-1/4	¼” x 36 yds.
EP21LVMed – low viscosity, two component epoxy compound	Masterbond	EP21LVMed	Meets USP Class VI certification, Passes ISO 10993-5 for cytotoxicity
Epilog Fusion Pro 48 Laser Machine	Epilog	N/A	CO2 laser
Foam tape	XFasten	N/A	1/8" Thick
Gamry Interface 1010E Potentiostat	Gamry	992-00129
High precision 45° curved tapered very fine point tweezers/forceps	Fisher Scientific	12-000-131
Lab tape	Fisher Scientific	15-901-10L
Mn(III)tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP)	EMD Millipore	475870-25MG	Solid, stored at -20 °C
N-Hydroxysulfosuccinimide sodium salt, ≥98% (HPLC)	Sigma-Aldrich	56485-250MG	Solid, stored desiccated at 4°C
Platinum clad niobium mesh anode	Technic	N/A	Clad with 125μ” of platinum on one side, framed in titanium with (1) 1” x 6” titanium strap centered on one 6” dimension
Silicon Planar Microelectrode Array, 16 Channel	NeuroNexus	A1x16-3mm-100-177-CM16LP	Electrode site material is iridium, shank thickness is 15 μm
Silicon Wafer	University Wafer	1575	Diameter 100 mm, p-type, boron-doped, 100 oriented, resistivity 0.01-0.02 Ohm-cm, thickness 525 um, single side polished, prime grade
Silver/silver Chloride reference electrode	Gamry Instruments	930-00015
Solidworks		N/A
Stainless Steel Phillips Flat Head Screws	McMaster Carr	96877A629	#8-32, 1 1/2", fully threaded
Type I deionized water	ChemWorld	CW-DI1-20
Ultimaker 3 3D printer	Ultimaker	N/A
Ultimaker Cura	Ultimaker	N/A	3D printing software
Ultimaker NFC ABS Filament	Dynamism, Inc.	1621	2.85 mm
Ultimaker NFC PLA Filament	Dynamism, Inc.	1609	2.85 mm
Vacuum Gauge Vacuum Gauge	Measureman Direct	N/A	Glycerin Filled, 2-1/2” Dial Size, ¼”NPT, -30” Hg/-100kpa-0
Wing nuts	Everbilt	934917	#8-32, zinc plated