Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) have made a revolutionary discovery in the field of neuroscience.
They have developed a tiny flexible electrode that can be implanted inside the human skull without causing any damage to the brain. The electrode array is made of gold and a transparent elastomer material, which makes it both durable and safe for use in the human body.
The electrode array can be inserted through a small incision in the skull and then expanded inside, making it much less invasive and reducing the risk of complications.
For deployment, the electrode is first folded and packed inside a cylindrical tube. Once it reaches inside the skull, the spiral-shaped arms spread, and the electrode regains its original shape. It is placed in a specific narrow space between the skull and the brain to monitor and stimulate neural activity.
The transparent elastomer material surrounding the electrodes provides insulation and protects the brain tissue from damage.
This new technology has the potential to revolutionize the field of neuroscience
The electrode array can be used to monitor brain activity in real time, providing insights into how different regions of the brain are interconnected and how they communicate with each other.
It will allow researchers to study the brain in unprecedented detail
The electrode array can also be used to stimulate neural activity, which has important applications in the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. By targeting specific regions of the brain with electrical stimulation, it may be possible to alleviate the symptoms of these disorders and also improve the quality of life for patients.
The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
