Title
Bending Properties of Materials for Peripheral Nerve Interfaces
Abstract
Intrafascicular peripheral nerve interfaces (PNIs) with penetrating electrodes have the potential to chronically record from nerves on the scale of single axons. The small size and dynamic environment of peripheral nerves makes material selection important for these devices. In this work, we describe how the bending properties of common PNI electrode materials contribute to their effectiveness as self-inserting PNIs. First, tungsten, platinum-iridium, and carbon fiber wires are tested to assess their ability to survive repeated bending stresses when embedded in silicone. Next, carbon fiber wires are attached to a flexible circuit board encased in silicone to characterize how they survive stresses in prototype PNI devices. Finally, in order to validate experimental results, we use COMSOL to investigate the optimal thickness of the embedded silicone layer by simulating the stress distribution in carbon fiber wires on a flexible circuit board. Carbon fiber wires were shown to survive bending stresses better than tungsten and platinum-iridium wires. Physical testing and COMSOL modeling of carbon fiber prototype devices showed an optimal silicone thickness of 200 μm that prevents carbon fiber breakage but minimizes PNI device size. Overall, these results serve as a guide for selection of self-inserting PNI materials and development of carbon fiber PNIs.
Year
DOI
Venue
2020
10.1109/NEMS50311.2020.9265629
2020 IEEE 15th International Conference on Nano/Micro Engineered and Molecular System (NEMS)
Keywords
DocType
ISSN
bending properties,intrafascicular peripheral nerve interfaces,penetrating electrodes,dynamic environment,peripheral nerves,material selection,carbon fiber wires,flexible circuit board,prototype PNI devices,embedded silicone layer,platinum-iridium wires,carbon fiber prototype devices,optimal silicone thickness,carbon fiber breakage,PNI electrode materials,carbon fiber PNI,physical testing,COMSOL modeling,size 200.0 mum
Conference
2474-3747
ISBN
Citations 
PageRank 
978-1-7281-7231-6
0
0.34
References 
Authors
1
6
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Joshua E. Woods100.34
Elissa J. Welle200.34
Lei Chen300.34
Julianna M. Richie400.34
Paras R. Patel501.35
Cynthia A. Chestek633.65