Interfacing regenerating peripheral nerves with a micromachined polyimide sieve electrode

A design of a flexible, light-weighted sieve electrode with integrated cables for interfacing regenerating nerves has been developed using micromachining technologies. The authors used polyimide as substrate and insulation layers and platinum as electrode metallization. The materials showed no cytotoxic effects in biocompatibility testing. In first chronic experiments on the sciatic nerve of rats, the authors received good regeneration, a functional reinervation, and no mechanical traumatization of the nerve caused by the microsystem due to the flexible materials.