Electrode arrays that interface with peripheral nerves are used in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders; however, they require complex placement surgeries that carry a high risk of nerve injury. Here we leverage recent advances in soft robotic actuators and flexible electronics to develop highly conformable nerve cuffs that combine electrochemically driven conducting-polymer-based soft actuators with low-impedance microelectrodes. Driven with applied voltages as small as a few hundreds of millivolts, these cuffs allow active grasping or wrapping around delicate nerves. We validate this technology using in vivo rat models, showing that the cuffs form and maintain a self-closing and reliable bioelectronic interface with the sciatic nerve of rats without the use of surgical sutures or glues. This seamless integration of soft electrochemical actuators with neurotechnology offers a path towards minimally invasive intraoperative monitoring of nerve activity and high-quality bioelectronic interfaces.

与周围神经连接的电极阵列用于诊断和治疗神经系统疾病；然而，它们需要复杂的放置手术，神经损伤的风险很高。在这里，我们利用软机器人执行器和柔性电子器件的最新进展来开发高度适形的神经袖带，将电化学驱动的基于导电聚合物的软执行器与低阻抗微电极结合起来。这些袖带由小至几百毫伏的外加电压驱动，可以主动抓住或缠绕脆弱的神经。我们使用体内大鼠模型验证了这项技术，结果表明，袖带在不使用手术缝合线或胶水的情况下，与大鼠坐骨神经形成并保持自动闭合且可靠的生物电子界面。软电化学执行器与神经技术的无缝集成为神经活动的微创术中监测和高质量生物电子接口提供了一条途径。