Three-Dimensional Flexible Neural Opto-Electronic Array with Silk-Based Shuttle-Free Implantation

We report a flexible three-dimensional (3D) opto-electronic array of 512 electrophysiological recording channels with silk-based shuttle-free implantation method. The shuttle-free implantation provides minimally invasive and high-efficiency implantation of the 3D neural electrode arrays with large coverage area and high electrode density. Therefore, we achieved a stable chronic recording of 1 month in vivo. We further integrate a silk fiber with highly transparency and low optical loss into our neural electrode array to provide optogenetic stimulation. We believe that this 3D flexible neural opto-electronic array will provide a high-resolution, long-term stable platform for optogenetic-related neural circuit studies.