Multiple optical stimulation to neuron using Si opto-neural probe with multiple optical waveguides and metal-cover for optogenetics

Abstract

We have developed a Si opt-neural probe with multiple waveguides and metal cover for highly accurate optical stimulation. This neural probe had 16 recording sites, three optical waveguides, and metal cover for suppressing light leakage. We evaluated electrochemical properties of the recording sites, and confirmed that the neural probe had suitable characteristics for neural recording. We also demonstrated the optical stimulation to the neurons expressing ChR2 using our probe. As a result, we succeeded multisite optical stimulation, and observed that no light leakage from the optical waveguides because of the metal cover. From in vivo experiments, we successfully recorded optically modulated local field potential using the fabricated Si neural probe with optical waveguides. Moreover, we applied current source density analysis to the recorded LFPs. As a result, we confirmed that light induced membrane current sink in locally stimulated area. Our Si opto-neural probe with multiple optical waveguides and metal-cover is one of the most versatile tools for optogenetics.

Flexible Tube-Shaped Neural Probe for Recording and Optical Stimulation of Neurons at Arbitrary Depths

“…In neuroscience research, this probe will enable greater stimulation power and stimulation of more sites than conventional probes. (10,(12)(13)(14) Power-limited stimulation may not affect neural circuit function. Studies with limitation of the number of stimulations may not result in a comprehensive study across all layers.…”

“…(11) Also, recording probes with waveguides have been developed. (12)(13)(14) These probes have multiple recording areas and one or multiple waveguides. When these devices are employed, a high-intensity light source is required because the output power of the tip is diluted by the loss of input coupling.…”

Stability Performance Analysis of Various Packaging Materials and Coating Strategies for Chronic Neural Implants under Accelerated, Reactive Aging Tests

“…Among various materials, Parylene-C (PA) is one of the most prevailing packaging materials for biomedical implants [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. SiO 2 [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], and Si 3 N 4 [ 23 , 24 , 25 ] are usually used as insulating layers in silicon based neural probes as well as an encapsulation protective layer to protect microelectronics from corrosive environments such as body fluids. However, the packaging performances of these films have not been studied systematically.…”

Development of Si neural probe with piezoresistive force sensor for minimally invasive and precise monitoring of insertion forces

“…In the past few decades, various kinds of neural probes have been developed for the recording and stimulation of neurons to study brain functions and to cure brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Particularly, a Si neural probe fabricated with micro-and nanotechnologies is one of the most important tools because of its various functions such as optical stimulation, 5,[7][8][9] drug delivery, 5,[10][11][12] and so forth. [13][14][15][16][17] Meanwhile, the insertion of a Si neural probe may damage brain tissues, and the quality of recording signals is degraded by the formation of glial scar tissues around the Si neural probe and by neuronal cell loss.…”