Noves tecnologies de capa prima en la fabricació de microelèctrodes implantables per interfases neuroelectròniques

by De Haro Marmolejo, M. Carmen

Biocompatible materials have important application among the biomedical devices, where is highly remarkable their use in implants. These implants can carried out either structural functions or actuator purposes, like implant devices, working both as stimulation or registration way. In this work, the compatibility of biomaterials and thin film technology for cuff type implantable microelectrodes fabrication has been investigated. The realization of neuroelectronic interfaces using polyimide and platinum has been studied. The design and definition of those structures enclosed on the microelectrode have been optimized, as well as the final encapsulation process by silicone. Furthermore, the corrosion mechanism and kinetics of platinum during neural stimulation, and the ability of increasing the lifetime of devices by electrochemical deposition of transducer material have been determined. On the other hand, as alternatives to the use of polyimide and platinum in the realization of implantable microelectrodes different biomaterials have been tested. Thus, dielectric polymeric materials as SU-8 and non-estequiometric iridium oxide as transductor material has been evaluated.