# Commercialization of integrated electrode-electronics system for large scale, long-lasting electrophysiology

> **NIH NIH R44** · SPIKEGADGETS, LLC · 2024 · $652,837

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Examining how behavior arises from the complex interconnected activity of the brain is a
cornerstone of neuroscience research. A recent technological advance in neurotechnology is
enabling studies where the parallel activity of thousands of neurons can be studied in rodent
brains. The Neuropixels probe, allowing 384 channels of electrophysiological data to be observed
from the brain, is now a valuable tool for next-generation experiments. One goal of this project is
to provide a commercial alternative to the Neuropixels probe and associated electronics that will
enable feature parity in recording capability, but also be usable in scientific applications currently
unaddressed by the existing Neuropixels probe. Our proposed solution is partially enabled by the
makers of the Neuropixles probes—IMEC has recently made commercially available the
electronics of the probes as a standalone 384 channel chip without the silicon electrodes
attached. By connecting this proven technology to a new type of electrode array—flexible
polyimide-based probes—we outline a strategy to offer technology with similar channel density
that is 1) is resistant to breakage upon insertion, 2) enables closely-spaced implantation sites,
and 3) has a significant reduction in glial scarring compared to silicon probes, enabling extremely
stable recordings for months. Furthermore, by coupling this probe to powerful datalogging
electronics, we will offer a way to scale channel counts to above 3000 without the need for cables
between the animal and a computer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10897943
- **Project number:** 5R44NS127692-03
- **Recipient organization:** SPIKEGADGETS, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Loren M Frank
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $652,837
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10897943

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10897943, Commercialization of integrated electrode-electronics system for large scale, long-lasting electrophysiology (5R44NS127692-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10897943. Licensed CC0.

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