A team of researchers led by Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) has introduced a soft implantable device capable of recording single-neuron activity in the brain over extended periods. The breakthrough, detailed in a paper titled "3D spatiotemporally scalable in vivo neural probes based on fluorinated elastomers", represents a major step forward in the quest for high-resolution, long-term neural recording.
One of the enduring challenges in neural recording technology has been the tradeoff between high-resolution data collection and the longevity of implanted devices. Rigid silicon implants can gather vast amounts of information but struggle to remain in the body for extended durations. On the other hand, smaller, flexible devices offer increased durability but provide only a fraction of the neural data.
Led by Paul Le Floch, former graduate student in the lab of Jia Liu, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at SEAS, the interdisciplinary team has devised a soft implantable device equipped with dozens of sensors. This innovative design achieves stable recording of single-neuron activity for months, overcoming the traditional tradeoff.
"We have developed brain-electronics interfaces with single-cell resolution that are more biologically compliant than traditional materials. This work has the potential to revolutionize the design of bioelectronics for neural recording and stimulation, and for brain-computer interfaces," explained Le Floch, now the CEO of Axoft, Inc.
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