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A novel flexible neural ribbon electrode with a self-adaptive feature is successfully implemented for various small nerves recording. As a neural interface, the selective recording capability is characterized by having reliable signal acquisitions from the sciatic nerve and its branches such as the peroneal nerve, the tibial nerve, and the sural nerve., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Introduction: A long-term peripheral neural interface is an area of intense research. The use of electrode interfaces is limited by the biological response to the electrode material., Methods: We created an electrode construct to harbor the rat sciatic nerve with interposition of autogenous adipose tissue between the nerve and the electrode. The construct was implanted for 10 weeks., Results: Immunohistochemistry showed a unique laminar pattern of axonal growth layered between fibro-collagenous tissue, forming a physical interface with the tungsten micro-electrode. Action potentials transmitted across the intrerface showed mean conduction velocities varying between 6.99 ± 2.46 and 20.14 ± 4 m/s., Conclusions: We have demonstrated the feasibility of a novel peripheral nerve interface through modulation of normal biologic phenomena. It has potential applications as a chronic implantable neural interface., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Various peripheral nerve interfaces have been developed in the last decades and transferred into neuroscientific researches or clinical applications. In this study, we present a novel flexible neural ribbon electrode that can achieve self-adaption to nerves in various diameters and have three dimensional (3D) contacts. Impedance spectroscopy of the neural ribbon electrode was carried out to determine its electrochemical characteristics during the recording. The recording capability of the neural ribbon on sciatic nerves with different diameter was demonstrated by successful signal acquisitions.