In situ electrochemical polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) for peripheral nerve interfaces

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Research Letter

In situ electrochemical polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) for peripheral nerve interfaces Jamie M. Murbach, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA Seth Currlin, Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA Adrienne Widener, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA Yuxin Tong, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA Shrirang Chhatre, Vivek Subramanian, and David C. Martin, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA Blake N. Johnson, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA Kevin J. Otto, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA Address all correspondence to Kevin J. Otto at [email protected]fl.edu (Received 30 May 2018; accepted 12 July 2018)

Abstract The goal of this study was to perform in situ electrochemical polymerization of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) in peripheral nerves to create a soft, precisely located injectable conductive polymer electrode for bi-directional communication. Intraneural PEDOT polymerization was performed to target both outer and inner fascicles via custom fabricated 3D printed cuff electrodes and monomer injection strategies using a combination electrode-cannula system. Electrochemistry, histology, and laser light sheet microscopy revealed the presence of PEDOT at specified locations inside of peripheral nerve. This work demonstrates the potential for using in situ PEDOT electrodeposition as an injectable electrode for recording and stimulation of peripheral nerves.

Introduction Neural prostheses provide a means to understand and influence neurological injury and disease through bi-directional communication. Peripheral nerve injuries have a detrimental impact on military personnel and veterans as the greatest source of longterm disability including limb loss from combat-related injuries. Specifically, peripheral nerve recording and stimulation have the potential to influence neurological injury through bi-directional communication using peripheral nerve devices. Extraneural peripheral nerve electrodes are commonly used for peripheral nerve injury; unfortunately, extraneural devices have poor selectivity and signal resolution.[1] This trade-off motivates the use of intraneural devices. However, the longterm performance of intraneural devices is limited. An immunological foreign body response (FBR) to implanted devices limits the efficacy of chronic stimulation and recording capabilities over time