Printable devices for neurotechnology

Abstract

Printable electronics for neurotechnology is a rapidly emerging field that leverages various printing techniques to fabricate electronic devices, offering advantages in rapid prototyping, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. These devices have promising applications in neurobiology, enabling the recording of neuronal signals and controlled drug delivery. This review provides an overview of printing techniques, materials used in neural device fabrication, and their applications. The printing techniques discussed include inkjet, screen printing, flexographic printing, 3D printing, and more. Each method has its unique advantages and challenges, ranging from precise printing and high resolution to material compatibility and scalability. Selecting the right materials for printable devices is crucial, considering factors like biocompatibility, flexibility, electrical properties, and durability. Conductive materials such as metallic nanoparticles and conducting polymers are commonly used in neurotechnology. Dielectric materials, like polyimide and polycaprolactone, play a vital role in device fabrication. Applications of printable devices in neurotechnology encompass various neuroprobes, electrocorticography arrays, and microelectrode arrays. These devices offer flexibility, biocompatibility, and scalability, making them cost-effective and suitable for preclinical research. However, several challenges need to be addressed, including biocompatibility, precision, electrical performance, long-term stability, and regulatory hurdles. This review highlights the potential of printable electronics in advancing our understanding of the brain and treating neurological disorders while emphasizing the importance of overcoming these challenges.

Keywords: microelectrode arrays; neuroprobes; neurotechnology; printable devices; printable electronics.

Figure 1

Fabrication of printable devices for neurotechnology, in the center respectively, a 3D nanoprinted microelectrode array platform, and inkjet-printed gold electrode arrays for bioelectronic interfaces (Reproduced from Khan et al. (2016) and Saleh et al. (2022)), employing: (A) Digital light processing (Reproduced from Market Business News (2023)). (B) Aerosol jet printing (Reproduced from Seiti et al. (2022)). (C) Inkjet printing (Reproduced from Cruz et al. (2018)). (D) Screen printing (Reproduced from Dong et al. (2021)). (E) Flexography printing (Reproduced from Khan et al. (2015)). (F) Fused deposition modeling (Reproduced from Szymczyk-Ziólkowska et al. (2020)), (G) Selective laser sintering (Reproduced from Puppi and Chiellini (2020)). (H) Gravure printing (Reproduced from Khan et al. (2015)). and (I) Stereolithography (Reproduced from Szymczyk-Ziólkowska et al. (2020)).