Three-dimensional neural probe microelectrode array and method of manufacture

A neural probe electrode assembly comprising:

• a platform having a plurality of sidewalls and comprising:
• an upper layer;
• a lower layer;
• a middle insulator layer sandwiched between the upper layer and the lower layer,
• wherein the upper layer, the lower layer, and theme aligned with each other to form the plurality of sidewalls;
• and
• a plurality of slots spaced apart from the plurality of sidewalls and extending through a thickness of the platform,
• wherein a slot of the plurality of slots includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a different width than the upper portion;
• and
• a plurality of neural probe electrode arrays residing within the plurality of slots,
• wherein a neural probe electrode array of the plurality of neural probe electrode arrays comprises:
• a bond pad plate that resides with the slot and supports bond pads;
• a plurality of shanks that extends from the bond pad plate out of the slot and beyond the platform and that supports electrode contacts configured to at least one of transmit signals into or receive the signals from tissue arrays;
• and
• a plurality of buried conductive traces that run along the plurality of shanks and connect the electrode contacts supported by the plurality of shanks to the bond pads supported by the bond pad plate.