Abstract
High-density, large-area electronic interfaces are a key component of brain–computer interface technologies. However, current designs typically require patients to undergo invasive procedures, which can lead to various complications. Here, we report a biodegradable and self-deployable tent electrode for brain cortex interfacing. The system can be integrated with multiplexing arrays and a wireless module for near-field communication and data transfer. It can be programmably packaged and self-deployed using a syringe for minimally invasive delivery through a small hole. Following delivery, it can expand to cover an area around 200 times its initial size. The electrode also naturally decomposes within the body after use, minimizing the impact of subsequent removal surgery. Through in vivo demonstrations, we show that our cortical-interfacing platform can be used to stimulate large populations of cortical activities.
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Acknowledgements
More than half of this work is supported by the National R&D Programme through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Grant No. 2022M3H4A1A04096393). Further support is provided by National R&D Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Grant Nos. 2022R1C1C1008513, RS-2023-00302145, RS-2023-00217968, 2023R1A2C2007705 and RS-2024-00419269).
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J.-Y.B., G.-S.H., Y.-S.K., J.-Y.K. and S.-K.K. designed the research. J.-Y.B., Y.-S.K., S.-G.C., J.-Y.L., J.-H.L., K.-S.K., J.-H.P, W.-J.L. and S.-K.K. designed, fabricated and analysed the devices and interfaces. J.-Y.B., Y.-S.K., J.-W.K., J.K. and S.-K.K. designed and fabricated the NFC-based wireless system with devices. G.-S.H. and J.-Y.K. designed and performed the mechanical modelling. J.-Y.B., Y.-S.K. J.J., M.C., K.-S.L. and J.K.H. designed, performed and analysed the in vivo experiments. M.C., S.K., S.-H.L, S.L., Y.-C.K., K.-S.L. and H.L. analysed the biocompatibility and immunohistochemistry. J.-Y.B., G.-S.H., Y.-S.K., J.K.H., J.-Y.K. and S.-K.K. wrote the manuscript.
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Nature Electronics thanks Meining Zhang, Hongbian Li and and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.
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Extended data
Extended Data Fig. 1 In vivo multimodal monitoring of brain activities.
(a) A photograph of deployed multimodal platform for physiological signal monitoring. (b) Device locations (left) and corresponding ECoG recordings (right). (c) Temperature monitoring with infrared lamp irradiation. (d) Strain monitoring with flank squeezing. (e) pH monitoring with saline injection through drilled hole.
Supplementary information
Supplementary Information
Supplementary Notes 1–25, references, Figs. 1–69 and Table 1.
Supplementary Video 1
Programmable packaging and self-deployment (in vitro).
Supplementary Video 2
Wireless LED operation after deployment (in vitro).
Supplementary Video 3
FEM analysis during programmable packaging.
Supplementary Video 4
Real-time deployment in canine model.
Supplementary Video 5
Wireless monitoring (temperature).
Supplementary Video 6
Animal’s quick recovery (after 1 d movement).
Supplementary Data
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Source Data Fig. 2
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Source Data Fig. 3
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Source Data Fig. 4
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Source Data Fig. 5
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Source Data Fig. 6
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Source Data Extended Data Fig. 1
Source data for Extended Fig. 1.
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Bae, JY., Hwang, GS., Kim, YS. et al. A biodegradable and self-deployable electronic tent electrode for brain cortex interfacing. Nat Electron 7, 815–828 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-024-01216-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-024-01216-x
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