Neural probe array

1. A neural probe array for subdural implantation to record intracranial field potentials in a brain, comprising:

a base having first and second sides and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween, each aperture extending along a corresponding axis and having a first end communicating with the first side of the base and a second end communicating with a second side of the base;

a plurality of contacts laterally spaced from each axis along which the plurality of apertures extend and being positioned along the first side of the base for recording the field potentials, the contacts:

having terminal ends co-planar with the first side of the base so as to allow the terminal ends of the contacts to be positioned adjacent target neurons in the brain; and

being arranged in a generally rectangular pattern for engagement with the brain; and

a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a first end operatively connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts and a second opposite end;

wherein:

the first side of the base is in fluid communication with the second side of the base via the plurality of apertures; and

the base is free of active electronic components mounted thereto.

2. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein the base includes:

a first layer having a first outer surface defining the first side of the base and a second inner surface; and

a second layer having a first outer surface defining the second side of the base and a second inner surface bonded to the inner surface of the first layer.

3. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein the first and second layers are formed from insulators.

4. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein the second ends of the plurality of conductors are operatively connected to a connector spaced from the base.

5. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein a portion of each of the plurality of conductors is positioned between the first and second layers of the base.

6. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein the plurality of apertures through the base are arranged in rows and columns.

7. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein the plurality of contacts along the first side of the base are arranged in rows and columns.

8. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of contacts has a diameter in the range of 200 microns to 2 millimeters.

9. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of contacts is spaced from an adjacent contact by a minimum distance of 300 microns.

10. A neural probe array for subdural implantation to record field potentials in a brain, comprising:

a porous base having first and second sides, the base being free of active electronic components mounted thereto;

a plurality of contacts spaced along the first side of the base for recording the field potentials, the plurality of contacts having terminal ends co-planar with the first side of the base so as to allow the terminal ends of the contacts to be positioned adjacent target neurons in the brain;

a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a first end operatively connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts and a second opposite end; and

a connector operatively connected to the second ends of the conductors at a location spaced from the base, the connector being connectable to a signal processing unit;

wherein:

the recorded field potentials are transmitted from the first ends of the plurality of conductors to the second ends of the conductors; and

the base includes a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures arranged in rows and columns;

each aperture extending along a corresponding axis and having a first end communicating with the first side of the base and a second end communicating with a second side of the base such that the first side of the base is in fluid communication with the second side of the base via the plurality of apertures; and

each of the contacts being laterally spaced from the axes of the apertures.

11. The neural probe array of claim 10 wherein the plurality of contacts are arranged in rows and columns along the first side of the base.

12. The neural probe array of claim 10 wherein a portion of each of the plurality of conductors is disposed within the base.

13. The neural probe array of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of contacts has a diameter in the range of 200 microns to 2 millimeters.

14. The neural probe array of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of contacts is spaced from an adjacent contact by a minimum distance of 300 microns.

15. A neural probe array for subdural implantation to record intracranial field potentials in a brain, comprising:

a first layer having a first outer surface, a first inner surface and a plurality of apertures therethrough;

a second layer having a second outer surface, a second inner surface bonded to the first inner surface of the first layer, and a plurality of apertures therethrough, the plurality of apertures through the second layer being axially aligned with the plurality of apertures through the first layer so as to define a plurality of holes;

a plurality of contacts spaced along the first outer surface of the first layer for recording the field potentials, the plurality of contacts having terminal ends co-planar with the first outer surface of the first layer so as to allow the terminal ends of the contacts to be positioned adjacent target neurons in the brain; and

a plurality of conductors, each conductor having:

at least a portion disposed between the first and second layers;

a first end operatively connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts; and

a second opposite end;

wherein:

the plurality of holes in the first and second layers are arranged in rows and columns and extend along corresponding axes;

each of the plurality of contacts is laterally spaced from the axes of the plurality of holes;

the first outer surface of the first layer is in fluid communication with the second outer surface of the second layer via the plurality of holes;

each hole is generally equally spaced from an adjacent hole in the row and column; and

the first and second layers are free of active electronic components.

16. The neural probe array of claim 15 wherein the plurality of contacts are arranged in rows and columns along the first outer surface of the first layer.

17. The neural probe array of claim 15 further comprising a connector operatively connected to the second ends of the conductor for coupling the plurality of conductors to a signal processor.

18. The neural probe array of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of contacts has a diameter in the range of 200 microns to 2 millimeters.

19. The neural probe array of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of contacts is spaced from an adjacent contact by a minimum distance of 300 microns.