Brain cells located adjacent to an implantable electrode are susceptible to both insertion and mechanical damage due
to micromotion as the tissue undergoes cyclic periods of pulsation and breathing. The brain cells inevitably interface
with electrodes that are typically much lighter and stiffer in comparison. As a result, the brain's high sensitivity to
deformation poses a great challenge in designing a neuron probe that is durable throughout time, as mechanical
damage in the brain can reduce the usefulness of the electrode. A number of electrode design parameters need to be
examined to determine how the brain's high susceptibility to deformation can be minimized, such as material
properties and geometry. Objectively, a neuron probe may need to be designed such that it can conform to motion of
the brain while electrical functionality is maintained during deformation. To better understand the design
enhancements needed for the neuron probe, a series of dynamic simulations are conducted which represent the
motion the brain is expected to undergo over time. This motion will, in turn, influence the motion of the neuron
probe throughout time. Of interest is how the brain tissue deformation near the interface of the neuron probe will be
affected by micromotion of the probe. The nonlinear transient explicit finite element code LS-DYNA is used to
carry out the analyses.
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