Transient Neurovascular Interface for Minimally Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulation

• Published in: Advanced materials technologies Vol. 7; no. 2
• Main Authors: Fanelli, Adele, Ferlauto, Laura, Zollinger, Elodie Geneviève, Brina, Olivier, Reymond, Philippe, Machi, Paolo, Ghezzi, Diego
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2022
• Subjects: endovascular device; neural interfaces; polymers; transient neurotechnology
• DOI: 10.1002/admt.202100176
• ISSN: 2365-709X

Neural interfaces are used to mitigate the burden of traumatic injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and mental disorders. However, the transient or permanent placement of an interface in close contact with the neural tissue requires invasive surgery, potentially entailing both short‐ and long‐term complications. To tackle this problem, a transient neurovascular interface for neural recording and stimulation is developed. This endovascular array has been fabricated with facile molding techniques using solely polymeric materials. In vitro experiments have shown promising electrochemical performance for both recording and stimulation, together with a lack of cytotoxicity in cultured cells. The device is compatible with standard endovascular catheters and, once deployed, provide good apposition to a cylindrical structure mimicking a blood vessel. The advantage of this device is twofold. On the one hand, the exploitation of the cerebrovascular system as an access route to the neural tissue avoids invasive surgeries. On the other hand, a transient device may reduce the inflammatory reaction and avoid additional surgeries for removal or replacement. This neurovascular interface combines the benefits of both transient bioelectronics and stent technology in a single device to broaden the range of applications of neural interfaces from neurological diseases and mental disorders to bioelectronics medicine. A polymeric and transient neurovascular interface have been developed and characterized for neural recording and stimulation. The device shows excellent electrochemical properties and compatibility with standard catheters for navigation inside the vasculature. After deployment in a 2‐mm diameter channel, the device induces a lumen reduction of 18%. These results are a promising step toward the minimally invasive transient endovascular interfaces.