Method of manufacturing a nerve electrode provided with anti-inflammatory drug

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a nerve electrode that is inserted into a living body and that is configured to attach to nerves is provided. The nerve electrode includes: i) a flexible substrate; ii) a plurality of electrodes that are separately positioned on the flexible substrate; and iii) an insulating layer that is positioned at a separation space of the plurality of electrodes and that insulates the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes include i) at least one linear electrode, and ii) a planar electrode that is separated from the linear electrode. An anti-inflammatory drug transfer layer is positioned on the planar electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a nerve electrode that is inserted into a living body and that is configured to attach to nerves, the method comprising:
 providing a substrate;   providing a first polyimide layer on the substrate;   providing a first photoresist layer on the first polyimide layer;   partially exposing the first polyimide layer to the outside by partially removing the first photoresist layer;   providing a plurality of electrodes that are separated by coating a conductive material on the partially exposed first polyimide layer;   exposing a first polyimide layer corresponding to a separation space between the plurality of electrodes to the outside by removing the first photoresist layer;   covering the plurality of electrodes by providing a second polyimide layer and covering the first polyimide layer corresponding to the separation space between the plurality of electrodes with the second polyimide layer;   providing a second photoresist layer on the second polyimide layer;   maintaining the second photoresist layer at a position corresponding to the separation space between the plurality of electrodes by partially removing the second photoresist layer;   exposing the plurality of electrodes to the outside by etching the second polyimide layer and the second photoresist layer; and   providing a drug transfer layer on the exposed plurality of electrodes by electrospinning a solution in which anti-inflammatory drugs are contained,   wherein in the providing of a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes comprise:   a plurality of linear electrodes, and   a planar electrode enclosing the plurality of linear electrodes,   wherein in the providing of a drug transfer layer, the drug transfer layer is provided on the planar electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a hydrogel layer on the drug transfer layer,
 wherein the hydrogel layer comprises at least one material that is selected from a group consisting of PEG, HAAEMA, and GelatinHA. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising enabling the linear electrode and the PEDOT layer to directly contact by providing the PEDOT layer on the linear electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the providing of a plurality of electrodes, the conductive material comprises at least one metal that is selected from a group consisting of platinum and titanium. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the maintaining of the second photoresist layer, the second photoresist layer additionally remains at a position corresponding to an edge of the plurality of electrodes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in the providing of a drug transfer layer, the anti-inflammatory drugs comprise at least one drug that is selected from a group consisting of dexamethasone, sulindac, and tolmetin. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising removing the substrate.