Degradable endovascular neural interface for minimally invasive neural recording and stimulation

Abstract

Neural recording and stimulation have been widely used to mitigate traumatic injuries, neurodegenerative diseases or mental disorders. Most neural interfaces commonly require invasive surgery, potentially entailing both transient and permanent complications. A promising strategy designed to overcome these risks involves exploiting the cerebrovascular system as an access route to the neural tissue. Here we present a novel endovascular neural interface for neural recording and stimulation, fully polymeric and degradable. This concept might allow for better integration of the device in the body, reduced inflammatory reaction, the possibility of replacing the implant after degradation, and avoiding removal surgeries. The vasculatures strategic distribution and the use of soft polymers for the devices fabrication will permit targeting both the brain vasculature and the peripheral system. Therefore, this novel endovascular neural interface will broaden the range of applications from neurological diseases and mental disorders to bioelectronics medicine.