A new 3D self-adaptive nerve electrode for high density peripheral nerve stimulation and recording

We present a novel 3D self-adaptive nerve electrode for high density nerve signal recording and site-specific stimulation. Specifically, a new pre-shaped flexible spiral structure has been developed in order to achieve tight contact with small nerves without any additional mechanical locking structure or force. This unique structure enables the nerve electrode to adapt and maintain close contact with the nerve without compressing it or restricting its movement. The spiral nerve electrodes (inner diameter = 310 μm) with 8 recording channels (electrode diameter = 50 μm) were fabricated and successfully applied to the rat vagus nerve (approximate diameter of 350 μm) in order to record compound action potentials.