OPTIMIZING RECORDING CAPABILITIES OF THE UTAH-INTRACORTICAL-ELECTRODE-ARRAY

The Utah Intracortical Electrode Array is a unique silicon-based monol ithic structure designed for use as a multichannel interface to the ce ntral nervous system. In this paper, we describe a series of acute exp eriments designed to determine the neural recording capabilities of th is electrode array and the dependence of the signal-to-noise ratio (SN R) of the recordings on the electrode surface area (length of metalliz ed tip). We found that both separable unit and multiunit cluster respo nses could be recorded. Additionally, high SNR recordings could be ach ieved for some electrodes (with electrode tip lengths of 30-220 mu m), while recordings with signals substantially greater than the noise co uld be made from most of the electrodes provided that the proper elect rode surface area was used. The demonstrated recording capabilities of the Utah Intracortical Electrode Array and its unique three-dimension al structure should form the basis for innovative physiological invest igations into the functional organization of the cortex as well as for long term neuroprosthesis development.