Press Releases | July 29, 2020

Improved quality of neural recording using a 'coaxial' microneedle-electrode

Associate Professor Takeshi Kawano, Department of Electrical and Electronic Information Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology (TUT) and the research team at the Electronics-Inspired Interdisciplinary Research Institute (EIIRIS) have developed a coaxial cable-inspired needle-electrode with the diameter of less than 10 µm, using crystal growth of semiconducting material of silicon. The microscale coaxial needle-electrode has two electrodes in the needle, enabling differential recordings to be made at very close distances, a task that had previously been difficult with conventional electrode devices. In addition, the microscale electrode reduces tissue damage compared to conventional electrodes. These advantages of the coaxial electrode enable high-quality recording of neuronal signals that could not be realized with conventional ways, and it is expected that the coaxial needle-electrode can be used as a new way of electrophysiology in the field of neuroscience.

Full text: Trying to listen to the signal from Neurons
TUT website: Press release