Volume 19, Issue 39 2302241
Research Article

Construction of a Flexible Optogenetic Device for Multisite and Multiregional Optical Stimulation Through Flexible µ-LED Displays on the Cerebral Cortex

Xue Shang

Xue Shang

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300072 China

Search for more papers by this author
Wei Ling

Wei Ling

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300072 China

Research Center for Augmented Intelligence, Research Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Zhejiang Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311100 China

Search for more papers by this author
Ying Chen

Ying Chen

Institute of Flexible Electronic Technology of Tsinghua, Jiaxing, 314006 China

Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics based Intelligent Sensing and Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Jiaxing, 314000 China

Search for more papers by this author
Chenxi Li

Chenxi Li

State Key Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300072 China

Search for more papers by this author
Xian Huang

Corresponding Author

Xian Huang

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Tianjin, 300072 China

Institute of Wearable Technology and Bioelectronics, Qiantang Science and Technology Innovation Center, 1002 23rd Street, Hangzhou, 310018 China

E-mail: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 01 June 2023
Citations: 2

Abstract

Precisely delivering light to multiple locations in biological tissue is crucial for advancing multiregional optogenetics in neuroscience research. However, conventional implantable devices typically have rigid geometries and limited light sources, allowing only single or dual probe placement with fixed spacing. Here, a fully flexible optogenetic device with multiple thin-film microscale light-emitting diode (µ-LED) displays scattering from a central controller is presented. Each display is heterogeneously integrated with thin-film 5 × 10 µ-LEDs and five optical fibers 125 µm in diameter to achieve cellular-scale spatial resolution. Meanwhile, the device boasts a compact, flexible circuit capable of multichannel configuration and wireless transmission, with an overall weight of 1.31 g, enabling wireless, real-time neuromodulation of freely moving rats. Characterization results and finite element analysis have demonstrated excellent optical properties and mechanical stability, while cytotoxicity tests further ensure the biocompatibility of the device for implantable applications. Behavior studies under optogenetic modulation indicate great promise for wirelessly modulating neural functions in freely moving animals. The device with multisite and multiregional optogenetic modulation capability offers a comprehensive platform to advance both fundamental neuroscience studies and potential applications in brain-computer interfaces.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.