This paper describes a prototype neuraludinterface “microdrive” capable of positioningudelectrodes with micron precision to record signals fromudactive neurons. The prototype is part of ongoing effortsudto develop “smart” neural implant devices that canudautonomously optimize neural signals for long-termudrecordings. Such implants will enable new generationsudof neural prosthetic systems that will allow patientsudwith lost motor function to control external devicesudthrough thoughts alone. The prototype presented wasudconstructed using a layered manufacturing (rapidudprototyping) method and made bio-compatible throughudcoating of Parylene. The microdrive offers severaludadvantages over much of the current state of the art inudneural recording devices and can be used to supportudstudies in both neural prosthetics and generaludneurophysiology. A companion paper describes theudalgorithm used to control the device for autonomousudoperation.
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