Neural interface with supporting structure

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of neural interfaces, and specifically, to a neural interface having an auxiliary structure. The neural interface includes at least one flexible electrode and at least one auxiliary structure, and the flexible electrode is assembled to one side of the auxiliary structure. The present application provides a neural interface, in which the auxiliary structure has rigidity, and the flexible electrode is detachably assembled to the auxiliary structure, so that the flexible electrode can be easily implanted into neural tissue with the assistance of the auxiliary structure, and then the auxiliary structure can be removed to leave only the flexible electrode in the brain tissue. The flexible electrode can adaptively deform according to the expansion and contraction state of a blood vessel, thereby reducing damage caused by implantation.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of neural interfaces, and more particularly to neural interfaces with supporting structures. [Background technology]

[0002] A neural interface is a communication system that does not rely on the normal output pathways of peripheral nerves and muscles. It bypasses peripheral nerves and muscles, providing a new pathway for exchanging information with external devices. It allows external devices to stimulate neurons to generate action potentials and record the action potentials generated by the neurons, thereby realizing bidirectional communication between neurons and external devices. Therefore, neural interfaces are widely used in the research and treatment of various neurological disorders, including those of the human optic nerve system.

[0003] Neural interface devices are primarily divided into implantable and non-implantable types. Compared to non-implantable neural electrodes, implantable neural electrodes have attracted attention from researchers both in Japan and abroad due to their high resolution. Currently, most implantable microneedle structures use methods such as EcoG, Utah electrodes, Michigan electrodes, and flexible electrodes. Among implantable neural electrodes, microneedle array electrodes, such as Utah electrodes, offer relatively high spatial resolution and excellent stability even after long-term implantation. They are the only neural interface devices approved for human use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, the specific use of conventional neural interface devices is difficult because they require craniotomy for implantation of implantable microneedles. Furthermore, implantation methods cause significant implantation damage, affecting the activity and growth of organ tissues, making them unsuitable for long-term implantation. Therefore, better solutions are needed to address the challenges of the conventional technology. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The main purpose of this application is to propose a neural interface with a support structure to solve the technical problem that conventional implantable neural interface microneedle arrays cause significant damage to brain tissue and make long-term implantation impossible. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, according to one aspect of the present application, the present application provides a technical solution as follows: a neural interface, the neural interface including at least one flexible electrode and at least one supporting structure, the flexible electrode being assembled to one side of the supporting structure, and the flexible electrode being provided with a ring-shaped structure including at least one of a through-hole and a groove.

[0006] Furthermore, the auxiliary structure includes an auxiliary member, which can be accommodated in the through hole or the groove so that the flexible electrode and the auxiliary structure are tightly connected.

[0007] Furthermore, the auxiliary member includes a fixing portion fixed to the end of the auxiliary structure and a connecting portion receivable within the through-hole.

[0008] Furthermore, the support structure is made of a biocompatible material.

[0009] Furthermore, the auxiliary structure is an auxiliary needle housed in the recess.

[0010] Furthermore, the flexible electrodes and the auxiliary structures are provided in one-to-one correspondence.

[0011] Furthermore, the flexible electrode is provided with at least one slit.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] The present application provides a neural interface, in which a support structure has rigidity and a flexible electrode is removably attached to the support structure, so that the flexible electrode can be easily implanted into neural tissue with the support of the support structure, and then the support structure can be removed, leaving only the flexible electrode in the brain tissue. The flexible electrode can adaptively deform according to the expansion and contraction state of blood vessels, thereby reducing damage caused by implantation.

[0014] In order to more clearly explain the technical solution of the present application, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings that need to be used in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following accompanying drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present application and should not be regarded as limitations on the protection scope of the present application. In each drawing, similar components are designated by similar numbers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded structural schematic diagram of a microneedle-assisted implantable neural interface proposed in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of the individual structures of a microneedle-assisted implantable neural interface proposed by an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the array structure of a microneedle-assisted implantable neural interface proposed in an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a flexible electrode proposed in an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] 1 is a structural schematic diagram showing the fitting of an auxiliary structure and a flexible electrode proposed in an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is clear that the described embodiments do not represent all the embodiments of the present application, but only some of the embodiments of the present application.

[0017] Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present application described and illustrated in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the following drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the application for which protection is sought, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments that can be obtained by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments herein without any creative effort fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0018] Hereinafter, the terms "comprise", "have" and their cognates, which may be used in various embodiments of the present application, are intended only to represent certain features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, and should not be interpreted as precluding the presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, or the possibility of adding one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0019] Additionally, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. are used merely to distinguish between descriptions and should not be understood to state or imply any relative importance.

[0020] Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which each embodiment of the present application belongs. The above terms (e.g., terms defined in commonly used dictionaries) are interpreted as having the same meaning as the contextual meaning in the relevant technical field unless clearly defined in various embodiments of the present application, and are not interpreted as having an idealized meaning or an overly formal meaning.

[0021] Example 1 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present application provides a neural interface, which includes an integrated circuit chip 1 and at least one flexible electrode 2. A ring-shaped structure 4 is provided at the end of the flexible electrode. The ring-shaped structure includes at least one of a through-hole and a groove, and the through-hole extends along the length of the flexible electrode. The flexible electrode 2 may be made of a flexible material. The material of the flexible material is not particularly limited as long as it is harmless to human tissue. According to one embodiment of the present application, the material of the flexible electrode 2 is preferably one or more of silicone rubber, PDMS, and polyimide. The flexible electrode 2 is electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip 1, and the flexible electrode 2 includes at least one bioelectrode point 3, which can output signals and input weak electrical stimulation signals. The flexible electrode 2 is provided with a ring-shaped structure 4 at the end. The structure of the ring-shaped structure 4 and its connection to the flexible electrode 2 are not particularly limited in the present application. The ring-shaped structure 4 may be externally attached to the flexible electrode 2 and may be made of metal or other flexible or rigid materials. The annular structure may be integrally formed with the base material of the flexible electrode 2 and provided at the end of the flexible electrode 2 .

[0022] The neural interface further includes at least one support structure 5, wherein the flexible electrodes and the support structure are provided in one-to-one correspondence, and the flexible electrodes are removably assembled to one side of the support structure.

[0023] In other embodiments, the number of support structures may be less than the number of flexible electrodes, provided that the support structures enable the flexible electrodes to be implanted to the target location.

[0024] Here, the bioelectrode point 3 is provided on the front side of the flexible electrode 2 , the ring structure 4 is provided on the back side of the flexible electrode 2 , and the auxiliary structure is also provided on the back side of the flexible electrode 2 .

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary structure 5 includes an auxiliary needle and an auxiliary member 6 provided on the surface of the auxiliary needle, and the auxiliary member includes a fixing portion fixed to the end of the auxiliary structure and a connecting portion receivable within the through-hole. Here, the auxiliary member may be a hook, which can be receivable within the through-hole so as to tightly connect the flexible electrode and the auxiliary structure, and can be fitted into the annular structure 4 at the end of the flexible electrode 2 to form a detachable connection.

[0026] The auxiliary member 6 in this application is very small, and damage to organ tissues when inserted together with the auxiliary structure 5 is almost negligible. In use, the annular structure 4 at the end of the flexible electrode 2 is hooked onto the auxiliary member 6 of the auxiliary structure 5 and inserted into brain tissue together, and then the auxiliary structure 5 is removed, and the auxiliary member 6 is separated from the annular structure 4 of the flexible electrode 2, leaving the flexible electrode 2 in the brain tissue and the auxiliary structure 5 removed from the body, without causing damage due to long-term implantation.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, in one preferred embodiment of the present application, in order to facilitate the separation process and prevent the flexible electrode 2 from being pulled out when the auxiliary structure 5 is pulled out, the inner ring surface at the top of the annular structure 4 has an inclined structure, tilting toward the side that is attached to the auxiliary structure 5, and there is a certain curvature on both the inside and outside of the hook.

[0028] In another embodiment, the auxiliary member may be a protruding block, which is received in the groove and forms a detachable connection with the groove, and in this embodiment, a stopper is provided at the lower end of the groove to prevent the protruding block from slipping out of the groove.

[0029] Here, the material forming the auxiliary member includes silicon dioxide or silicon nitride. Specifically, the hooks can be formed as follows: after preparing the auxiliary structure body, grooves are etched at predetermined positions on the auxiliary structure body, and a photoresist is used to define the hook pattern. Silicon dioxide or silicon nitride is grown from the grooves along the predefined pattern to form the hooks, and the remaining photoresist is then removed.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment, the auxiliary structure includes an auxiliary needle housed in the groove, and the groove is longer and has a length adapted to that of the auxiliary needle.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the flexible electrode may be based on a flexible material to ensure that the flexible electrode can be deformed under the action of an external force, where the flexible material comprises PDMS to ensure that the electrode is in contact with the neural tissue in a more flexible state.

[0032] In another preferred embodiment, the flexible electrode has at least one slit. When the flexible electrode has at least two slits, the slits are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode, and adjacent two slits are offset from each other. The slits are perpendicular or inclined to the longitudinal direction of the flexible electrode to allow deformation of the flexible electrode.

[0033] Specifically, the flexible electrode may have a rigid material as a base material. Specifically, the bioelectrode includes a substrate and a plurality of slits distributed on the substrate. The slits are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the bioelectrode (hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, referred to as the first direction), with adjacent slits offset from each other. The slits are perpendicular or inclined to the first direction. The slits may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bioelectrode (i.e., the first direction) or inclined to the longitudinal direction of the bioelectrode. Providing slits in the substrate can reduce the rigidity of the entire bioelectrode to some extent, but in this specification, the size of the slits must not be too small and must be controlled within a certain range so as not to lose flexibility.

[0034] Here, the shape of the slit is not specifically limited, and may be elongated, wavy, sawtooth, or the like.

[0035] The neural interface of this embodiment has a rigid auxiliary structure, and the flexible electrode is removably attached to the auxiliary structure. This allows the flexible electrode to be easily implanted into neural tissue with the assistance of the auxiliary structure, and then the auxiliary structure can be removed, leaving only the flexible electrode in the brain tissue. The flexible electrode can adaptively deform according to the expansion and contraction state of the blood vessel, thereby reducing damage caused by implantation.

[0036] Example 2 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in one preferred embodiment of the present application, there are multiple auxiliary structures 5, forming a microneedle array 7. There are also multiple flexible electrodes 2, which are bonded to an integrated circuit chip 1 to form an electrode array. The pitch between the auxiliary structures 5 in the microneedle array 7 is the same as the pitch between the flexible electrodes 2 bonded to the integrated circuit chip 1. When the microneedle array 7 and the flexible electrode array are bonded together, the auxiliary structures 5 and the flexible electrodes 2 are aligned one-to-one, achieving accurate engagement between the annular structure 4 and the auxiliary member 6 and enabling the flexible electrodes 2 to be tightened. The microneedle array 7 and the flexible electrode array are bonded together to form a microneedle electrode assembly. As shown in Figure 3, multiple microneedle electrode assemblies can be combined to form a microneedle electrode array, which can cover a certain area when implanted into brain tissue, improving spatial resolution and signal accuracy.

[0037] Example 3 In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microneedle array includes at least two auxiliary structures 5 of different lengths, and the positions of the corresponding auxiliary members 6 may or may not be on the same plane.

[0038] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the auxiliary member 6 on the auxiliary structure 5 is adjustable, and the adjustment method may be sliding adjustment by fitting or positioning by attachment, and is not particularly limited. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the auxiliary structure 5 is provided with a plurality of attachment holes arranged in the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary structure, and the auxiliary member 6 can be engaged and fixed in the attachment holes, so that the engagement position of the auxiliary member 6 can be set according to the length of the flexible electrode 2 to be implanted.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexible electrode 2 can be cut, and can be cut to obtain flexible electrodes 2 of different lengths according to the length of the auxiliary structure 5 and the position of the auxiliary member 6. More preferably, the cutting is performed at the end without the annular structure 5, and the cut cross section of the flexible electrode 2 is provided with a protective film or re-bonded to the integrated circuit chip 1.

[0040] Example 4 4-5, the flexible electrode 2 includes at least one bioelectrode point 3, which is independent of each other and can operate independently under the control of the integrated circuit chip 1. Providing multiple bioelectrode points 3 on one flexible electrode 2 can ensure simultaneous signal reading and stimulation. In one preferred embodiment, the bioelectrode points 3 on the flexible electrode 2 can be arranged in the same row or in different rows, depending on the width of the flexible electrode 2 and the actual situation.

[0041] In any possible embodiment, the neural interface further comprises an extracorporeal device including a collection unit and a processing unit, the collection unit being used to acquire external sensory signals and the processing unit being used to convert the sensory signals into stimulation signals for reproducing sensations.

[0042] In one preferred embodiment, the extracorporeal device further includes a first wireless coil, and a second wireless coil is provided on the integrated circuit chip side, the first wireless coil being used to transmit a stimulation signal, and the second wireless coil being used to receive a stimulation signal.

[0043] Example 5 According to one embodiment of the present application, there is further provided a method for implanting a neural interface, the specific technical solution of which is as follows: (1) Step 1: Selecting a support structure 5 having a different length or adjusting the position of the support member 6 on the support structure according to the implantation depth of the flexible electrode 2; (2) fitting the annular structure 4 of the flexible electrode 2 into the auxiliary member 6 of the auxiliary structure 5, attaching the auxiliary structure 5 to the flexible electrode 2 and the integrated circuit chip 1, and adjusting the flexible electrode 2 to a tightened state; (3) Step 3 of inserting the combined structure of the support structure 5 and the flexible electrode 2 into brain tissue; (4) adjusting the flexible electrode 2 to a relaxed state, and withdrawing the auxiliary structure 5 to achieve the separation process.

[0044] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to facilitate the separation process in step 4, the inner ring surface of the top of the annular structure in step 2 is inclined toward the side where it is attached to the auxiliary structure.

[0045] The flexible electrode implantation assistance method used in this application minimizes implantation damage and enhances long-term implantation stability. Furthermore, the flexible electrode includes multiple bioelectrodes and can adapt to structural deformations in brain tissue, thereby avoiding the foreign body sensation caused by friction with tissues and organs. Recording using multiple electrodes can be achieved, improving spatial resolution and signal accuracy.

[0046] The above-described examples only show some embodiments of the present application, and the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make further modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present application, and all of these fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be governed by the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 integrated circuit chip 2 Flexible electrodes 3 Bioelectrode points 4. Ring structure 5 Auxiliary structure 6 Auxiliary parts 7. Microneedle array

Claims

1. at least one flexible electrode and at least one support structure; The flexible electrode is assembled to one side of the support structure; The flexible electrode has an annular structure at an end thereof, the annular structure including a through hole; the support structure includes a support member engageable with an interior of the annular structure; The auxiliary member is a hook that protrudes at an angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the auxiliary structure, When the auxiliary member is engaged with the inside of the annular structure, an inner circumferential surface of the annular structure that is relatively far from the end in the longitudinal direction is inclined in the same direction as the inclination direction of the auxiliary member. A neural interface characterized by:

2. The auxiliary member can be received in the through hole so that the flexible electrode and the auxiliary structure are tightly connected.

2. The neural interface of claim 1.

3. The auxiliary member includes a fixing portion fixed to an end of the auxiliary structure and a connecting portion receivable within the through-hole.

2. The neural interface of claim 1.

4. The material forming the support member includes silicon dioxide or silicon nitride.

2. The neural interface of claim 1.

5. The support structure is made of a biocompatible material. A neural interface according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The flexible electrodes and the auxiliary structures are provided in one-to-one correspondence. A neural interface according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The flexible electrode has at least one slit. A neural interface according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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