3-D silicon probe array with hybrid polymer interconnect for chronic cortical recording

The desire to perform chronic recordings from many channels in cortex is high among both neuroscientists and neural prosthesis researchers. The Michigan probe with integrated silicon ribbon cable has been used successfully for obtaining chronic cortical recordings in rodents. As these silicon devices are applied in larger animals and potentially in humans, however, a more mechanically robust, scalable system is required. Here we present a device that takes advantage of several existing, well-characterized technologies and methods and combines them to form a hybrid cortical assembly. The components of the assembly include thin-film multichannel silicon probes and polyimide cables that are electrically and mechanically coupled using thermocompression ball bonding. The resulting probe/cable assembly is low profile (<500 microns) and can be combined with other assemblies to form a 3-D array. Sixteen channel 2-D arrays have been implanted into rat motor cortex and have recorded chronic unit activity.