Advanced Architectures and Materials of Functional Devices for Neural Interfaces

Abstract

Architectures and materials of functional devices at neural interfaces have advanced quickly over the past few decades. Direct implant into the brain is required for conventional invasive procedures, which present a risk of inflammation due to its open craniotomy. New technologies were pushed to be developed to avoid inflammations, as the four most iconic architectures that can be minimally invasive: filamentary probes, conformal sheets, open-mesh networks, and distributed material elements appeared in researchers' vision to record and modulate neural activities. This review unveils their mechanisms, functions, and effects respectively. Additionally, this discussion covers the most current findings regarding the roles played by these four architectures, including their structural designs for neural interfaces and their potential future applications.