Insertable neural probe with flexible structure

A neural probe (10), comprising:

• a body (14), an angled tip (16), and a shank (12) extending from the body (14) to a distal end of the angled tip (16), the tip (16) having a branched tip configuration comprising a plurality of branches (20) near the distal end of the angled tip, said branches (20) extending out from the shank to define at least a portion of an outer perimeter of the tip (16);
• and
• one or more electrodes (24) supported by the tip for stimulating neurons, recording neural electrical activity, or both, wherein at least one of the electrodes (24) is located along one of the branches (20).

An implantable device (10) for in vivo communication with biological tissue (60), comprising:

• a body (14), a branched tip (16), and a shank (12) extending from the body (14) to the branched tip (16), wherein the branched tip (16) includes a plurality of branches (20), each of said branches (20) extending to a respective end (22) and having an electrode (24) located at said respective end (22), wherein the plurality of branches (20) is arranged in a herringbone configuration having a pair of branches (20) extending from the tip (16) toward the body (14) and forming an angled configuration at the tip (16) with a plurality of other branches (20) extending from the shank (12) toward the body (14);
• and
• a biodegradable material (18) coating at least a portion of the branched tip (16) or the shank (12), wherein the device (10) is non-operable until the biodegradable material (18) substantially degrades.