An integrated stepable electrode holder

Abstract

The application provides an integrated stepable electrode support, which comprises a first support plate, a second support plate and a stepping assembly, the first support plate is parallel to the second support plate, the first support plate is provided with a first through hole, the second support plate is provided with a second through hole, the stepping assembly passes through the first through hole and the second through hole, and the stepping assembly is used for step driving the electrode support. The electrode array is fixedly connected with the stepping assembly, so that when the electrode support is step driven by adjusting the stepping assembly, the electrode array can step together with the electrode support. Further, the electrode support is also provided with a placing part for accommodating an optical fiber head, so that the electrode support structure is more stable during the experiment process and is not easy to break.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of life science technology, and in particular to an integrated step-able electrode bracket. Background Art

[0002] The human brain is composed of approximately 10 billion neurons, interconnected by synapses into a complex functional network, making it one of the most complex organs in the human body. Currently, our understanding of the brain's functional mechanisms remains relatively low, and studying its functions has become a hot topic in international scientific research. In 2013, the European Union launched the Human Brain Project. Subsequently, various countries, based on their respective national conditions, policies, and social needs, have launched corresponding brain research programs, aiming to leverage the findings of basic brain science research to address pressing societal needs, such as improving people's brain health. As early as 2017, China began developing implementation plans for a major project, "Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Research," which aims to focus on understanding the brain, protecting it, and simulating it. In January 2021, China's Ministry of Science and Technology announced the Science and Technology Innovation 2030—"Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Research"—a major project. On September 16, the Ministry officially announced the "China Brain Project." The implementation of these large-scale brain projects heralds a new wave of brain science research.

[0003] The activity patterns of groups of neurons in various relevant brain regions during the free movement of awake animals has been an important research area at the forefront of neuroscience in recent years. In vivo multi-channel electrophysiology is an important means of recording neural activity. This technology can observe the activity state of neurons in the target brain region in the awake and free movement state, so that the recorded neuronal signals are consistent with the normal physiological state. Usually, researchers use a combination of electrophysiology and behavior to explore the correlation between brain region activity and behavior. However, in vivo multi-channel electrophysiology involves multiple important technical links, such as the design and production of electrode caps, chronic electrode surgical implantation, multi-channel real-time data acquisition, and single neuron discharge cluster analysis.

[0004] As a tool that needs to be implanted in the animal brain and used to record more neurons in the experiment, the design and production of the electrode cap is an important part of the multi-channel electrophysiological technology. The electrode cap production process in the prior art requires a variety of materials such as electrode support plates, copper rods, screws, nuts, etc., among which the electrode support plates need to be customized in advance, which takes a long time. During the assembly of the electrode cap, micro-operations need to be completed to ensure that the multiple electrode support plates are parallel to each other to ensure the mechanical drive feasibility of the electrode holder. During manual operation, the tools are prone to accidentally injure the maker, and the assembly accuracy completed by manual operation is poor, making it difficult to achieve mutual parallelism between the electrode support plates. In addition, the copper pillars used in the existing electrode caps will increase the structural weight of the electrode cap and have unnecessary effects on the experimental results.

[0005] Furthermore, the connection between the electrode and the holder in conventional photoelectric operation only requires optical fiber and silicon tube, which is very fragile and easily broken. If the connection between the electrode and the holder breaks and needs to be reconnected, it will seriously affect the experimental process. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, in order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present invention proposes an integrated step-able electrode holder.

[0007] The integrated step-able electrode holder includes a first support plate, a second support plate and a stepping assembly. The first support plate is parallel to the second support plate. A first through hole is provided on the first support plate, and a second through hole is provided on the second support plate. The stepping assembly passes through the first through hole and the second through hole. The stepping assembly is used to step-drive the electrode holder.

[0008] Specifically, the stepping assembly includes a screw and a nut, and a slot is further provided on a side of the second support plate facing away from the first support plate, the slot is communicated with the second through hole, and the slot has an internal thread;

[0009] The nut is arranged on the side of the first support plate facing the second support plate, and the screw is inserted from the side of the first support plate facing away from the second support plate toward the second support plate, and the screw successively passes through the first through hole, the nut, the second through hole and the slot, and the slot is used to clamp the screw. The electrode holder of the present invention is an integrated structure, and the screw of the stepper assembly is clamped in the slot on the side of the second support plate facing away from the first support plate and cannot move freely up and down. The electrode holder of the present invention only requires two support plates, which is less than the number of support plates used in the prior art, thereby increasing the structural integration of the electrode holder while reducing the weight.

[0010] The electrode holder is provided with an electrode array; the first support plate is provided with a first hole, the second support plate is provided with a second hole, the electrode array extends through the first hole and the second hole, and the electrode array is fixedly connected to the stepper assembly. The design of the fixed connection between the electrode array and the stepper assembly enables the electrode array to step along with the electrode holder when the stepper assembly is adjusted to step the electrode holder.

[0011] In some embodiments, the electrode array includes a silicon tube fixedly connected to the stepper assembly.

[0012] Preferably, the integrated step-able electrode holder further includes a supporting member;

[0013] A third through hole is provided on the first support plate, a fourth through hole is provided on the second support plate, the supporting member is passed through the third through hole and the fourth through hole, and the supporting member is used to stabilize the electrode support structure.

[0014] In some embodiments, the supporting member is an iron wire.

[0015] Furthermore, the integrated step-able electrode holder further includes a placement portion, the placement portion is connected to the first support plate, a placement cavity is formed in the placement portion, and the placement cavity is used to accommodate the optical fiber head of the electrode holder.

[0016] The placement portion is a hollow cylindrical structure.

[0017] The integrated step-able electrode holder proposed in the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the electrode holder is an integrated structure, and the screw displacement is prevented by a slot arranged on the side of the second support plate facing away from the first support plate. Only two support plates are required to achieve structural stability of the electrode holder. Compared with the existing technology, the number of support plates used is smaller, the structural model is simplified, the weight is reduced, and the accuracy and degree of integration of the structure are greatly improved. At the same time, the experimental requirements of the photoelectrode can be optimized.

[0018] The electrode array is fixedly connected to the stepping assembly, so that when the stepping assembly is adjusted to step-drive the electrode holder, the electrode array can step together with the electrode holder.

[0019] Furthermore, the electrode holder is also provided with a placement portion for accommodating the optical fiber head, so that the electrode holder structure is more stable and not easy to break during the experiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the integrated step-able electrode holder of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the integrated step-able electrode holder of the present invention from another angle;

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A side view of the integrated step-able electrode holder is shown;

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A top view of the integrated step-able electrode holder is shown.

[0025] Reference numerals:

[0026] 1-first support plate; 2-second support plate; 31-first through hole; 32-second through hole; 33-slot; 41-first hole; 42-second hole; 51-third through hole; 52-fourth through hole; 6-placement portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] See also Figures 1 to 3 The present invention provides an integrated step-type electrode holder, comprising a first support plate 1, a second support plate 2, and a stepper assembly. The first support plate 1 is parallel to the second support plate 2. A first through-hole 31 is provided on the first support plate 1, and a second through-hole 32 is provided on the second support plate 2. The stepper assembly passes through the first through-hole 31 and the second through-hole 32, and is used to step the electrode holder.

[0029] Specifically, the stepper assembly includes a screw and a nut, and a slot is further provided on the side of the second support plate 2 facing away from the first support plate 1, the slot is connected to the second through hole 32, and the slot has an internal thread. The nut is provided on the side of the first support plate 1 facing the second support plate 2, and the screw is inserted from the side of the first support plate 1 facing away from the second support plate 2 toward the second support plate 2. The screw passes through the first through hole 31, the nut, the second through hole 32 and the slot in sequence, and the slot is used to clamp the screw. The electrode holder of the present invention is an integrated structure, and the screw of the stepper assembly is clamped by the slot on the side of the second support plate 2 facing away from the first support plate 1 and cannot move freely up and down. The electrode holder of the present invention only requires two support plates, which is less than the number of support plates used in the prior art, thereby increasing the structural integration of the electrode holder while reducing the weight.

[0030] Furthermore, an electrode array is provided on the electrode holder. A first hole 41 is provided on the first support plate 1, and a second hole 42 is provided on the second support plate 2. The electrode array passes through the first hole 41 and the second hole 42, and the electrode array is fixedly connected to the stepping assembly. The design of the fixed connection between the electrode array and the stepping assembly enables the electrode array to step along with the electrode holder when the stepping assembly is adjusted to step the electrode holder. In this embodiment, the electrode holder is step-driven by tightening a screw from the side of the first support plate 1 facing away from the second support plate 2.

[0031] In some embodiments, the electrode array includes a silicon tube, the photoelectrode is disposed within the silicon tube, and the silicon tube is fixedly connected to the stepper assembly.

[0032] There are many ways to connect the stepper assembly and the electrode array. In this embodiment, the silicon tube and the nut are bonded together to achieve a fixed connection between the stepper assembly and the electrode array.

[0033] In some embodiments, the electrode support further includes a support member. The first support plate 1 is provided with a third through hole 51, and the second support plate 2 is provided with a fourth through hole 52. The support member is provided through the third through hole 51 and the fourth through hole 52 to make the electrode support structure more stable.

[0034] Specifically, the supporting member may be an iron wire, which is inserted into the third through hole 51 and the fourth through hole 52 .

[0035] To further enhance the structural stability of the electrode holder, the electrode holder of the present invention further comprises a placement portion 6 connected to the first support plate 1. A placement cavity is formed within the placement portion 6 for accommodating the optical fiber head of the electrode holder. Specifically, the placement portion 6 is a hollow cylindrical structure.

[0036] In this embodiment, the centers of the first through hole 31 and the second through hole 32 are collinear, and the line connecting the centers of the first through hole 31 and the second through hole 32 is perpendicular to the first support plate 1. The centers of the first hole 41 and the second hole 42 are collinear, and the line connecting the centers of the first hole 41 and the second hole 42 is perpendicular to the first support plate 1. The centers of the third through hole 51 and the fourth through hole 52 are collinear, and the line connecting the centers of the third through hole 51 and the fourth through hole 52 is perpendicular to the first support plate 1.

[0037] See the instructions attached Figure 4 In some embodiments, the first hole 41 is disposed at the center of the first support plate 1 , the second hole 42 is disposed at the center of the second support plate 2 , and the placement portion 6 is coaxially disposed with the first hole 41 and the second hole 42 .

[0038] The integrated step-able electrode holder of the present invention has been tested, and the test results show that the integrated step-able electrode holder can replace the electrode holder in the prior art and can be used to form a complete in-vivo multi-channel step-able electrode for chronic electrode implantation surgery.

[0039] The basic structure of the integrated step-type electrode holder of the present invention can be produced by 3D printing. Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, the basic structure of the electrode bracket can be drawn by 3D shaper modeling software and can be printed in batches without manual assembly, saving time and effort.

[0040] During the printing process, the electrode bracket achieves maximum parallelism within the tolerances of the machine, with a precision far exceeding that of manual production. Compared to existing electrode brackets, the integrated electrode bracket eliminates the need for glue to secure the individual components and copper pillars, resulting in a lighter structure.

[0041] After the basic structure between the electrodes is made by printing, it is only necessary to add the stepper assembly and electrode array to the electrode holder according to the different needs of the experiment for normal use.

[0042] According to the principles of the present invention, 3D printing can also be used to produce electrode holders for multiple brain regions. The present invention can also be extended to other electrophysiological signal recording applications, such as field potential recording from multiple brain regions, allowing for the simultaneous placement of multiple field potential recording electrodes.

[0043] To sum up, the present invention proposes an integrated step-by-step electrode holder with an integrated structure. The screw retaining function is realized by setting a slot on the side of the second support plate facing away from the first support plate. Only two support plates are required to achieve structural stability of the electrode holder. Compared with the existing technology, the number of support plates used is smaller, the structural model is simplified, the weight is reduced, and the accuracy and degree of integration of the structure are greatly improved. At the same time, the experimental requirements of the photoelectrode can be optimized.

[0044] The electrode array is fixedly connected to the stepping assembly, so that when the stepping assembly is adjusted to step-drive the electrode holder, the electrode array can step together with the electrode holder.

[0045] Furthermore, the electrode holder is also provided with a placement portion for accommodating the optical fiber head, so that the electrode holder structure is more stable and not easy to break during the experiment.

[0046] The basic structure of the integrated step-type electrode holder of the present invention can be manufactured by 3D printing. It is easy to manufacture, does not require epoxy resin glue, does not require custom PCB boards, and will not cause structural instability or non-parallelism during the manufacturing process, and is low-cost.

[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition to the above embodiments, there may also be different variations. The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined with each other. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated step-able electrode holder, characterized in that: The electrode holder comprises a first support plate, a second support plate and a stepping assembly, wherein the first support plate is parallel to the second support plate, a first through hole is provided on the first support plate, a second through hole is provided on the second support plate, and the stepping assembly is used to step the electrode holder; The stepper assembly includes a screw and a nut, and a slot is integrally provided on a side of the second support plate facing away from the first support plate, the slot is communicated with the second through hole, and the slot has an internal thread; The nut is arranged on a side of the first support plate facing the second support plate, and the screw is inserted from a side of the first support plate facing away from the second support plate toward the second support plate, and the screw passes through the first through hole, the nut, the second through hole, and the slot in sequence, and the slot is used to clamp the screw; An electrode array is provided on the electrode bracket, and the electrode array is fixedly connected to the nut.

2. The integrated step-able electrode holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first hole is provided on the first support plate, a second hole is provided on the second support plate, and the electrode array passes through the first hole and the second hole.

3. The integrated step-able electrode holder according to claim 2, characterized in that: The electrode array includes a silicon tube, and the silicon tube is fixedly connected to the stepping assembly.

4. The integrated step-able electrode holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes blessing pieces; A third through hole is provided on the first support plate, a fourth through hole is provided on the second support plate, the supporting member is passed through the third through hole and the fourth through hole, and the supporting member is used to stabilize the electrode support structure.

5. The integrated step-able electrode holder according to claim 4, characterized in that: The supporting member is an iron wire.

6. The integrated step-able electrode holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a placement portion, which is connected to the first support plate. A placement cavity is formed in the placement portion, and the placement cavity is used to accommodate the optical fiber head of the electrode bracket.

7. The integrated step-able electrode holder according to claim 6, characterized in that: The placement portion is a hollow cylindrical structure.

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