Conducting Polymer-Based Composite Materials for Therapeutic Implantations: From Advanced Drug Delivery System to Minimally Invasive Electronics

Figure 4

(a) Scheme of the fabrication process using an inkjet printing system. (b) Concept of preproduction design and (c) image of the fabricated NF-based neural electrode. Electric wire cables were bonded to the end of the electrode pads using conductive silver epoxy and were covered with bone cement. (d) Electrochemical impedance spectrum over a frequency range of 1–105 Hz. (e) Cyclic voltammograms with a scan range of −0.7 to +0.8 V at a scan rate of 100 mV/s. (f) Image of a wrapped stimulus cuff electrode and a recording NF-based electrode. Acute ex vivo recordings obtained using (g) a control electrode, (h) AgNP-coated PI NF electrode, and (i) AgNP/PEDOT-coated PI NF electrode. (j) Electrical packaging electrode (1) and implanted electrode (2). The NF-based electrode is wrapped around the sciatic nerve of a rat. (k) Representative neural signal recording obtained from sciatic nerve tissue over a period of 12 weeks using a control electrode, an NF-based electrode, and an NF-based electrode soaked with Tranilast. (l) Simultaneous mapping of the SNR of an NF-based electrode with and without Tranilast [78].

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