Lateral Ventricular Brain-Computer Interface System with Lantern-Inspired Electrode for Stable Performance and Memory Decoding

TL;DR

This study introduces a novel lateral ventricular brain-computer interface with a lantern-inspired electrode that provides stable, long-term neural recordings and high-accuracy memory decoding, surpassing traditional subdural electrodes.

Contribution

The paper presents a new expandable, flexible electrode for LV-BCI that achieves superior stability and decoding performance compared to conventional methods.

Findings

Achieved up to 98% prediction accuracy in memory decision tasks.

Maintained stable signals over 112 days without immune response decline.

Demonstrated the lateral ventricle as a viable route for neural recording.

Abstract

We present a lateral ventricular brain-computer interface (LV-BCI) that deploys an expandable, flexible electrode into the lateral ventricle through a minimally invasive external ventricular drainage pathway. Inspired by the framework of traditional Chinese lanterns, the electrode expands uniformly within the ventricle and conforms to the ependymal wall. Compared with conventional subdural ECoG electrodes, the LV-BCI shows superior signal stability and immunocompatibility. Resting-state spectral analyses revealed a maximum effective bandwidth comparable to subdural ECoG. In evoked potential tests, the LV-BCI maintained a consistently higher signal-to-noise ratio over 112 days without the decline typically associated with scarring or other immune responses. Immunohistochemistry showed only a transient, early microglial activation after implantation, returning to control levels and remaining stable through 168 days. We further designed an "action-memory T-maze" task and developed a microstate sequence classifier (MSSC) to predict rats' turn decisions. The LV-BCI achieved prediction accuracy up to 98%, significantly outperforming subdural ECoG, indicating enhanced access to decision-related information from deep structures such as the hippocampus. These results establish the lateral ventricle as a viable route for neural signal acquisition. Using a lantern-inspired flexible electrode, we achieve long-term stable recordings and robust memory decision decoding from within the ventricular system, opening new directions for BCI technology and systems neuroscience.