Inkjet-printed transparent electrodes: Design, characterization, and initial in vivo evaluation for brain stimulation

Abstract

Electrical stimulation is a powerful tool for investigating and modulating brain activity, as well as for treating neurological disorders. However, understanding the precise effects of electrical stimulation on neural activity has been hindered by limitations in recording neuronal responses near the stimulating electrode, such as stimulation artifacts in electrophysiology or obstruction of the field of view in imaging. In this study, we introduce a novel stimulation device fabricated from conductive polymers that is transparent and therefore compatible with optical imaging techniques. The device is manufactured using a combination of microfabrication and inkjet printing techniques and is flexible, allowing better adherence to the brain’s natural curvature. We characterized the electrical and optical properties of the electrodes, focusing on the trade-off between the maximum current that can be delivered and optical transmittance. We found that a 1 mm diameter, 350 nm thick PEDOT:PSS electrode could be used to apply a maximum current of 130 μA while maintaining 84% transmittance (approximately 50% under 2-photon imaging conditions). We then evaluated the electrode performance in the brain of an anesthetized mouse by measuring the electric field with a nearby recording electrode and found values up to 30 V/m. Finally, we combined experimental data with a finite-element model of the in vivo experimental setup to estimate the distribution of the electric field underneath the electrode in the mouse brain. Our findings indicate that the device can generate an electric field as high as 300 V/m directly beneath the electrode, demonstrating its potential for studying and manipulating neural activity using a range of electrical stimulation techniques relevant to human applications. Overall, this work presents a promising approach for developing versatile new tools to apply and study electrical brain stimulation.