Design and Fabrication of Blue LED-Integrated Graphene Electrodes for Neural Stimulation and Signal Recording

Abstract

Optogenetics combined with electrocorticography enables simultaneous modulation and recording of neural activity with site-specific precision in a programmable manner. Existing platforms for delivering light to the brain typically consist of external light sources and optical fibers that give rise to considerable physical constraints on natural behavior. Moreover, delivering light onto cortical surfaces through recording devices that comprise opaque electrodes is challenging. In this paper, we overcome both limitations using a fabrication approach that combines an array of mechanically compliant microscale optoelectronic devices with transparent graphene-based electrodes for minimally invasive cortical interfacing. We validate the use of this combined system for the potential widespread use in research and future clinical applications in optogenetics.