Fabrication and Dose–Response Simulation of Soft Dual-Sided Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: A 16-channel dual-sided flexible electrode based on a polyimide substrate was designed and fabricated using micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) technology. The electrode exhibited an average impedance of 5.9 kΩ at 1 kHz and a charge storage capacity (CSC) of 10.63 mC/cm2. Concurrently, a three-dimensional finite element model incorporating electrical stimulation and micromotion-induced damage was established. The simulation results demonstrated that the implantation trauma caused by the bilateral electrode was significantly lower compared with silicon-based and cylindrical electrodes, while also enabling directional stimulation. Furthermore, leveraging the design of experiments (DOE) methodology, a multivariate regression model was developed to investigate the influence of key stimulation parameters—namely, current amplitude, frequency, and pulse width—on the volume of tissue activated (VTA). The results indicated that the regression model provided accurate predictions of VTA (R2 = 0.912). Among the parameters, current amplitude and pulse width exerted a statistically significant influence on VTA size (p < 0.001), whereas the effect of frequency was comparatively minor (p = 0.387 > 0.05). This study presents the first successful fabrication and comprehensive dose–response analysis of a flexible bilateral DBS electrode. Its attributes of low implantation trauma, multi-channel capability, and directional stimulation offer a novel paradigm for precise neuromodulation. Additionally, the established stimulation parameter–VTA response model provides a robust theoretical foundation for optimizing therapeutic parameters in subsequent clinical applications.
Source: Micromachines
DOI: 10.3390/mi16080945
Authors: Jian Zhang, Bei Tong, Changmao Ni, Dengfei Yang, Guoting Fu, Li Huang
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,534
OpenAlex ID: W4413305944