Neural probe with optical stimulation capability

Abstract

A neural probe is disclosed for optically stimulating or silencing neurons and recording electrical responses to the stimulus. Using patterning techniques, an integral optical waveguide may be fabricated on the probe for transmitting neuron-affecting light from a light source to a probe tip. The probe tip may include one or more electrodes to receive electrical responses from stimulated neurons for recording or further processing. According to various embodiments, the disclosed neural probes may utilize multiple light sources simultaneously, switch between multiple light sources, or utilize a single light source to stimulate or silence multiple neuron locations simultaneously via multiple probe tips or via multiple light-emitting sites located along the length of the probe. Neural probes are thereby provided that have sufficient spatial resolution to accurately target, stimulate, and record the reaction of neurons, or as few as a single neuron, utilizing a slim, compact structure.