A flexible neural probe implant structure, preparation method and implantation device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of brain-computer interface technology, and in particular to a flexible neural probe implant structure, preparation method and implant device. The structure includes: a flexible neural probe and a hardened coating; the hardened coating includes a coating portion and at least one fixing portion; the coating portion is arranged on at least a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe, and the coating portion is used to increase the rigidity of the flexible neural probe; the flexible neural probe includes an implantation end, and the position of the fixing portion corresponds to the position of the implantation end; the coating portion and the fixing portion are integrally formed. By providing a hardened coating on the outer surface of the flexible neural probe to increase the rigidity of the flexible neural probe, the flexible neural probe can be implanted without relying on an implant carrier, thereby reducing damage to brain tissue. In addition, by designing the structure of the hardened coating so that it has a fixing portion that can match the implant device, the complexity of implanting the flexible neural probe can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of brain-computer interface, and in particular to a flexible neural probe implant structure, a preparation method and an implant device. Background Art

[0002] Implantable neural probes are the most widely used tools for recording single-cell, sub-millisecond resolution neural activity. Existing implantable neural probes include hard silicon-based probes and flexible neural probes. Implantation of hard silicon-based probes will cause rejection, resulting in peripheral nerve necrosis, chronic inflammation, and inactivation of neuronal cells in the implanted area, which will cause the signals received by the implantable neural probe to degrade over time.

[0003] Flexible neural probes have a smaller Young's modulus, and neuron generation is good after implantation, with few rejection reactions. However, since the Young's modulus of the flexible neural probe is smaller than that of brain tissue, it cannot be directly implanted into the brain. In the prior art, the implantation of the flexible neural probe is generally guided by a needle-shaped guiding device, and the flexible neural probe is attached to the needle-shaped introduction device to assist in implantation into the brain tissue. After the flexible neural probe is implanted into the brain tissue, the needle-shaped introduction device is recovered. This process inevitably increases the complexity of the implantation and requires a high level of proficiency from the operator. In addition, when the needle-shaped introduction device is recovered, secondary damage to the brain tissue will be caused, and the flexible neural probe will also be caused to deviate from the predetermined implantation site. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a flexible nerve probe implantation structure, a preparation method and an implantation device, wherein a hardening coating is provided on the outer surface of the flexible nerve probe to improve the rigidity of the flexible nerve probe so that the flexible nerve probe can be implanted without relying on an introduction device.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses a flexible neural probe implant structure, comprising: a flexible neural probe and a hardening coating;

[0006] The hardening coating comprises a coating portion and at least one fixing portion;

[0007] The coating portion is disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe, and the coating portion is used to increase the rigidity of the flexible neural probe;

[0008] The flexible neural probe includes an implantation end, and the position of the fixing portion corresponds to the position of the implantation end;

[0009] The coating part and the fixing part are integrally formed.

[0010] As an optional embodiment, the surface of the exposed electrode point in the flexible neural probe is the electrode point surface, and at least one electrode point surface in the flexible neural probe is not covered by the coating portion; or,

[0011] The thickness of the coating portion on at least one electrode point surface in the flexible neural probe is smaller than the thickness of the coating portion on the remaining surface of the flexible neural probe.

[0012] As an optional embodiment, the flexible neural probe further includes an implantation tip, and the thickness of the coating portion gradually increases from the implantation tip end to the implantation end.

[0013] As an optional implementation, the coating portion includes at least two side surfaces, and a connection between at least the two side surfaces is a rounded corner.

[0014] As an optional implementation, the coating portion includes at least three side surfaces, and each of the at least three side surfaces is a concave arc surface.

[0015] As an optional embodiment, the hardened coating includes a fixing portion, and the thickness of the coating portion on one side of the fixing portion is greater than the thickness of the coating portion on a side away from the fixing portion.

[0016] As an optional embodiment, the hardened coating includes a plurality of fixing parts, and the number of the fixing parts is the same as the number of the side surfaces of the coating part.

[0017] As an optional implementation, a connection structure is provided on the fixing portion, and the connection structure is used to connect with the implant device.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application also discloses a method for preparing a flexible neural probe implant structure, comprising:

[0019] Obtain a mold, wherein a groove of a preset structure is provided in the mold, wherein the groove includes a coating portion groove and a fixing portion groove, wherein the coating portion groove is used to form a coating portion on at least a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe, and the fixing portion groove is used to form a fixing portion connected to an implant device;

[0020] A flexible neural probe is placed in the groove;

[0021] Injecting a biocompatible substance solution into the groove so that the surface of the flexible neural probe is at least partially immersed in the biocompatible substance solution;

[0022] The biocompatible material solution is solidified to obtain a flexible neural probe implant structure.

[0023] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses a mold for preparing a flexible neural probe implant structure, the mold is used to prepare the flexible neural probe implant structure as described above;

[0024] The mold is provided with a groove of a preset structure;

[0025] The groove includes a coating portion groove and a fixing portion groove;

[0026] The coating portion groove is used to form a coating portion on at least a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe;

[0027] The fixing portion groove is used to form a fixing portion connected to an implant device.

[0028] As an optional implementation, the coating portion groove includes at least two groove surfaces, and each of the at least two groove surfaces is a curved surface.

[0029] As an optional embodiment, the mold has a probe fixing area, and the probe fixing area is used to fix the flexible neural probe;

[0030] A side of the probe fixing area close to the fixing portion groove is a first side, and a side away from the fixing portion groove is a second side;

[0031] The distance between the first side and the edge of the coating portion groove is greater than the distance between the second side and the edge of the coating portion groove.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses a flexible neural probe implantation device, which is used to implant the flexible neural probe implantation structure as described above.

[0033] The technical solution described in the embodiments of the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0034] The flexible neural probe implant structure described in the embodiment of the present application provides a hardened coating on the outer surface of the flexible neural probe to improve the rigidity of the flexible neural probe, so that the flexible neural probe can be implanted without relying on an introduction device, thereby reducing damage to brain tissue. In addition, by designing the structure of the hardened coating so that it has a fixing portion that can match the implant device, the difficulty of implanting the flexible neural probe can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. 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 creative work.

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of a coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of another flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Fig.17 A schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Fig.18 A schematic diagram of a process for preparing a flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Fig.19 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a mold provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Fig. 20 A schematic diagram of the structure of a mold provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Fig.21 A schematic diagram of the structure of another mold provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Fig. 22 A schematic diagram of the structure of an implantable robotic arm provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0058] The following is a supplementary description of the attached drawings:

[0059] 100-flexible neural probe; 101-electrode point; 102-implantation tip; 103-implantation end; 200-hardened coating; 201-fixing part; 202-coating part; 203-connecting structure; 300-mold; 301-coating part groove; 302-fixing part groove; 400-implantation robot arm; 401-connecting end; 402-fixing structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0061] The term "one embodiment" or "embodiment" as used herein refers to a specific feature, structure or characteristic that may be included in at least one implementation of the present application. In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, the features defined as "first" and "second" may include one or more of the features explicitly or implicitly. Moreover, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described here can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described here.

[0062] In the prior art, in order to realize the implantation of a flexible neural probe, a connection structure for connecting a guiding device is usually prepared on the flexible neural probe when preparing the flexible neural probe. When the flexible neural probe is implanted, the guiding device is connected to the flexible neural probe through the connection structure, thereby realizing the implantation of the flexible neural probe. This scheme increases the complexity of the preparation of the flexible neural probe and causes greater damage to the brain tissue during implantation. In some schemes, a coating is applied to the outer surface of the flexible neural probe to improve the strength of the flexible neural probe, thereby avoiding the use of a guiding device during implantation. However, this scheme does not design the structure of the coating, resulting in the flexible neural probe after the coating cannot be well matched with the implantation device. In addition, this scheme realizes the implantation of the flexible neural probe by directly clamping the flexible neural probe body during implantation, but since the coating has limited effect on the strength of the flexible neural probe, it is very easy to cause the coating to be damaged during implantation, so that the flexible neural probe cannot be successfully implanted.

[0063] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a flexible neural probe implant structure, which, through structural design of a hardened coating arranged on the surface of the flexible neural probe, improves the rigidity of the flexible neural probe while making the flexible neural probe implant structure easy to cooperate with the implantation device, thereby reducing the difficulty of implanting the flexible neural probe.

[0064] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the flexible neural probe implant structure includes: a flexible neural probe 100 and a hardening coating 200 .

[0065] In the embodiment of the present application, the hardening coating 200 is arranged on the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 to increase the rigidity of the flexible neural probe 100, so that the flexible neural probe 100 can be directly implanted into the brain by relying on the rigidity strengthened by the hardening coating 200, without the aid of a guiding device. Since the hardening coating 200 will be implanted into the brain together with the flexible neural probe 100, the material of the hardening coating 200 needs to have good biocompatibility. That is, the hardening coating 200 is prepared using a biocompatible substance. Specifically, the hardening coating 200 is a biocompatible substance solution or a liquid biocompatible substance that is cured and formed, and is arranged on the surface of the flexible neural probe 100. The hardening coating 200 obtained after the biocompatible substance is cured and formed can increase the Young's modulus of the flexible neural probe 100. That is, the material of the hardening coating 200 has a curable property, and its Young's modulus after curing is greater than the Young's modulus of the flexible neural probe 100. Generally speaking, the main body material of the flexible neural probe 100 is mostly flexible materials such as polyimide and SU-8 photoresist, and the Young's modulus of the cured hardened coating 200 is greater than that of flexible materials such as polyimide and SU-8 photoresist. In addition, for the flexible neural probe 100, the role of the hardened coating 200 is only to assist its implantation into the brain. When the flexible neural probe 100 is working, the hardened coating 200 cannot serve as the functional structure of the flexible neural probe 100, and even the existence of the hardened coating 200 may interfere with the normal operation of the flexible neural probe 100. Therefore, the material of the hardened coating 200 can be a biometabolizable substance. Optionally, the material of the hardened coating 200 can be protein, sugar, etc.

[0066] In the embodiment of the present application, the hardening coating 200 includes a coating portion 202. The coating portion 202 is disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe 100. The coating portion 202 refers to the hardening coating 200 directly coated on the surface of the flexible neural probe 100, and the main function of the coating portion 202 is to increase the rigidity of the flexible neural probe 100. Figures 2 to 5 The schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of four coating parts provided in the embodiments of the present application is as follows: Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the coating portion 202 includes at least one side. As an optional embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, the coating portion 202 may include a side surface, that is, the side surface of the coating portion 202 is a continuous curved surface, and the flexible neural probe 100 is wrapped in the continuous curved surface. Optionally, the continuous curved surface is a cylindrical surface. As another optional embodiment, as Figure 3As shown, the coating portion 202 may include two side surfaces, both of which are curved surfaces. The two side surfaces completely wrap the flexible neural probe 100 to form a cross-sectional structure similar to a spindle. Optionally, the long axis of the spindle is substantially parallel to the long side of the cross section of the flexible neural probe 100. As another optional embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the coating portion 202 may include three side surfaces, the cross sections of the three side surfaces are approximately connected in a triangular shape, and the flexible neural probe 100 is wrapped in the coating portion 202 having three side surfaces. As another optional embodiment, as Figure 5 As shown, the coating portion 202 may include four side surfaces, the cross-sections of the four side surfaces are approximately connected in a quadrilateral shape, and the flexible neural probe 100 is wrapped in the coating portion 202 having the four side surfaces.

[0067] It should be understood that Figures 2 to 5 Four possible side embodiments of the coating portion 202 are merely shown. In practical applications, those skilled in the art can obtain other shapes of the side of the coating portion 202 without creative effort. For example, the coating portion 202 can also include other numbers of side faces, and the cross section of the coating portion 202 can also be a combination of multiple regular or irregular shapes.

[0068] In the embodiment of the present application, the coating portion 202 covering the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 may have multiple side surfaces, and the connection between these side surfaces may be a rounded connection or an angular connection, which may be selected according to actual needs. Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the connection between the multiple side surfaces is an angular connection. The multiple side surfaces are connected by angular connections, which can reduce the resistance of the flexible neural probe implant structure during implantation and facilitate the implantation operation. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of another coating portion provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the connection between the multiple side surfaces is a rounded connection. The multiple side surfaces are connected by rounded corners, which can reduce the trauma area of ​​the flexible neural probe implant structure to the brain tissue during implantation.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present application, when the coating portion 202 has three or more side surfaces, some or all of the side surfaces may be designed as concave arc surfaces. That is, under the premise of ensuring the rigidity of the flexible neural probe implant structure, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flexible neural probe implant structure is reduced as much as possible, thereby reducing the trauma area of ​​the flexible neural probe implant structure to the brain tissue during implantation. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The cross-sectional structure diagrams of the other two coating parts provided in the embodiments of the present application are as follows: Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the coating portion 202 includes four side surfaces, and the four side surfaces are designed to be in the form of concave arc surfaces, which can reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​the flexible neural probe implant structure. Figure 8 As shown, the four side surfaces of the coating portion 202 are designed to be in the form of concave arc surfaces, and the four side surfaces are connected by edges and corners. The connection between the concave arc surfaces sharpens the connecting edges between the side surfaces in the coating portion 202, thereby further reducing the resistance of the flexible neural probe implant structure during implantation.

[0070] It should be noted that Figure 7 and Figure 8 Only two possible side structure implementations of the coating portion 202 are shown exemplarily. In practical applications, those skilled in the art can also obtain other shapes of side structures of the coating portion 202 without creative work. For example, the coating portion 202 can also include three side surfaces, each of which is a concave arc surface. For another example, the coating portion 202 can also include five side surfaces, some of which are concave arc surfaces, and the remaining side surfaces are planes.

[0071] In the embodiment of the present application, the coating portion 202 can be disposed on a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe 100, or on the entire surface of the flexible neural probe 100. That is, the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 can be partially covered by the coating portion 202, or can be completely covered by the coating portion 202. In order to enable the hardened coating 200 to be well combined with the flexible neural probe 100 and to ensure that the combined flexible neural probe implant structure has good rigidity, the coating portion 202 generally needs to cover as much of the surface of the flexible neural electrode as possible. However, in some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the flexible neural probe 100 is usually a flat strip, and the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 where the electrode point 101 is exposed is the electrode point surface. The electrode point 101 is used to collect EEG signals or release electrical signals. When the flexible neural probe 100 is working, it is necessary to ensure that the electrode point 101 can be in direct contact with the brain tissue. If the electrode point surface is covered by a thick coating portion 202, it will take a long time for the brain tissue to metabolize the hardening coating 200 covering the electrode point 101, which will prolong the waiting time from the implantation of the flexible neural probe 100 to the collection of EEG signals. During this period, since it is impossible to judge the working condition of the electrode, the skull cannot be closed, so that the brain is exposed to the outside for a long time, increasing the risk of infection of the brain. Therefore, when preparing the hardening coating 200 on the surface of the flexible neural probe 100, the hardening coating 200 may not be covered on the electrode point surface, or the thickness of the hardening coating 200 on the electrode point surface may be reduced, so that after the flexible neural probe implant structure is implanted in the brain, it can be quickly determined whether the flexible neural probe 100 can work normally. Figures 9 to 12The cross-sectional structure diagrams of four other coating parts 202 provided in the embodiments of the present application are as follows: Figures 9 to 12 As shown, the flexible neural probe 100 has four surfaces, and the electrode point surface of the flexible neural probe 100 is only covered by a thin layer of hardened coating 200. That is, the thickness of the coating part 202 on the electrode point surface of the flexible neural probe 100 is less than the thickness of the coating part 202 on other surfaces of the flexible neural probe 100. When the flexible neural probe implant structure is implanted into the brain of the organism, the hardened coating 200 is dissolved by the brain tissue fluid, so that the flexible neural probe 100 covered by the hardened coating 200 is exposed, so that the flexible neural probe 100 is directly in contact with the brain tissue to achieve the collection of brain electrical signals. In this process, since the electrode point surface of the flexible neural probe 100 is only covered by a thin layer of hardened coating 200, after the flexible neural probe implant structure is implanted into the brain of the organism, the hardened coating 200 covering the electrode point surface will soon be dissolved by the brain tissue, so that the electrode point 101 in the electrode point surface is exposed, so that whether the flexible neural probe 100 can work normally can be determined according to whether the electrode point 101 can collect brain electrical signals.

[0072] It should be noted that Figures 1 to 12 The flexible neural electrode shown in the figure is only an optional embodiment of the flexible neural electrode. In some embodiments, the flexible neural electrode may include multiple electrode point surfaces. For example, the two opposite surfaces of the flexible neural electrode are both electrode point surfaces. In this case, at least one electrode point surface in the flexible neural probe 100 is not covered by the hardening coating 200. That is, when the flexible neural electrode includes multiple electrode point surfaces, only one electrode point surface needs to be left uncovered by the hardening coating 200 or one electrode point surface is only covered by a thin layer of the hardening coating 200, so that after the flexible neural electrode implant structure is implanted in the brain, the electrode point surface can be used to determine whether the flexible neural probe 100 can work normally.

[0073] In the embodiment of the present application, the flexible neural probe 100 includes an implantation tip 102 and an implantation end 103, and the thickness of the coating portion 202 gradually increases from the implantation tip 102 to the implantation end 103. That is, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flexible neural probe implant structure gradually increases from the implantation tip 102 to the implantation end 103, and the overall structure is a cone or bullet shape. Fig.13 and Fig.14 The schematic diagram of the structure of two coating parts 202 provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Fig.13 and Fig.14As shown, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flexible neural probe implant structure gradually increases from the implant tip 102 to the implant end 103 of the flexible neural probe 100, and the implant end 103 has the largest cross-sectional area, so that the Young's modulus of the flexible neural probe implant structure can be guaranteed. For a long flexible neural probe 100, by designing the flexible neural probe implant structure into a conical or bullet-shaped structure, it can be ensured that it has sufficient implant rigidity and does not bend or break during implantation.

[0074] In an embodiment of the present application, the hardened coating 200 also includes a fixing portion 201, and the coating portion 202 and the fixing portion 201 are integrally formed. The position of the fixing portion 201 corresponds to the position of the implantation end 103. Optionally, the coating portion 202 and the fixing portion 201 are made of the same material. The fixing portion 201 is used to connect to an implant device. The hardened coating 200 may include one fixing portion 201, or may include two fixing portions 201 or more fixing portions 201, which may be selected based on actual needs. The fixing portion 201 may be disposed on a side of the coating portion 202 or at the connection between two side surfaces. As an optional embodiment, Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 1 and Fig.15 As shown, the hardening coating 200 includes a fixing portion 201, which is arranged on the side of the coating portion 202 corresponding to the implant end 103. When the hardening coating 200 includes a fixing portion 201, when the flexible neural probe implant structure is implanted, since only one fixing portion 201 is connected to the implant device, the flexible neural probe implant structure will be subjected to unilateral force, and a slight position deviation may occur during the implantation process. Fig.15 As shown, in order to avoid this situation, the thickness of the coating portion 202 on the side of the fixing portion 201 can be set to be greater than the thickness of the coating portion 202 on the side away from the fixing portion 201, so as to increase the force torque of the coating portion 202 on the side of the fixing portion 201. When the flexible nerve probe implant structure is implanted, since the end side of the flexible nerve probe implant structure is subjected to force, a lever with the tip structure of the flexible nerve probe implant structure as the fulcrum will be formed for the hardened coating 200. By increasing the thickness of the coating portion 202 on the side where the fixing portion 201 is provided, the torque on this side can be increased, thereby eliminating the positional offset of the flexible nerve probe implant structure during implantation. As another optional embodiment, Fig.16 A schematic diagram of another flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Fig.16As shown, the hardening coating 200 includes two fixing parts 201, and the two fixing parts 201 are both arranged on the side of the coating part 202 corresponding to the implant terminal 103. Optionally, the two fixing parts 201 are symmetrically distributed on the side of the coating part 202, so that when the flexible nerve probe implant structure is implanted, the forces on both sides of the flexible nerve probe implant structure can be balanced, avoiding the position deviation that may exist when the flexible nerve probe implant structure is implanted. In some embodiments, the hardening coating 200 may also include a plurality of fixing parts 201, and the plurality of fixing parts 201 are evenly distributed on the side of the coating part 202 around the implant terminal 103. In other embodiments, the number of fixing parts 201 may be the same as the number of sides of the coating part 202. Optionally, a fixing part 201 may be arranged on each side of the coating part 202. Optionally, the fixing part 201 may also be arranged at the connection between the two sides.

[0075] In the embodiment of the present application, a connection structure 203 is provided on the fixing portion 201 , and the connection structure 203 is used to connect with the implant device. Fig.17 A schematic diagram of another flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Fig.17 As shown, a connection hole is provided on the fixing part 201, and the connection device is connected to the fixing part 201 through the connection hole, thereby achieving fixation of the flexible neural probe implant structure.

[0076] It should be noted that the connection structure 203 is not limited to the connection hole, and can also be other connection structures 203, such as a slot, etc. In addition, the connection between the fixing portion 201 and the implant device can be connected by other means besides the connection structure 203. For example, the fixing portion 201 can also be connected to the implant device by bonding, adsorption, etc.

[0077] The present application also provides a method for preparing a flexible neural probe implant structure. Fig.18 A schematic diagram of a process for preparing a flexible neural probe implant structure provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Fig.18 As shown, including:

[0078] S1801: Obtain a mold 300, wherein a groove with a preset structure is provided in the mold 300.

[0079] In the embodiment of the present application, the flexible neural probe implant structure can be prepared by casting. Specifically, the structure of the mold 300 is first designed according to the specific structure of the flexible neural probe implant structure, and then the mold 300 for casting is prepared. Optionally, the mold 300 is prepared using two-photon printing technology. Fig.19 A schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of a mold 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Fig.19As shown, grooves are provided in the mold 300, including a coating portion groove 301 and a fixing portion groove 302, wherein the coating portion groove 301 is used to form a coating portion 202 on at least a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe 100, and the fixing portion groove 302 is used to form a fixing portion 201 connected to an implant device.

[0080] It should be noted that the structure of the mold 300 needs to be determined according to the designed flexible neural probe implant structure. Fig. 20 and Fig.21 The schematic diagram of the structure of two molds 300 provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Fig. 20 and Fig.21 As shown, the structure of the mold 300 can be roughly divided into a closed structure mold 300 and a semi-open mold 300. The closed mold 300 can be used to prepare a flexible neural probe implant structure in which the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 is completely covered by the hardening coating 200. In addition, for the semi-open mold 300, the mold 300 of this structure is easy to inject the solution and confirm the coverage of the probe by the solution at any time. Therefore, the semi-open mold 300 is suitable for preparing a flexible neural probe implant structure in which the electrode point surface of the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 is not covered by the hardening coating 200 or is only covered by a thin hardening coating 200.

[0081] S1803: Place the flexible neural probe 100 in the groove.

[0082] In the embodiment of the present application, the flexible neural probe 100 can be prepared by a flexible probe preparation process, and then the prepared flexible neural probe 100 is placed in the groove of the mold 300 to prepare the flexible neural probe implant structure. The preparation of the flexible neural probe 100 is not the focus of the embodiment of the present application and will not be described in detail here.

[0083] S1805: injecting a biocompatible substance solution into the groove, so that the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 is at least partially immersed in the biocompatible substance solution.

[0084] In the embodiment of the present application, a biocompatible substance is used to prepare the hardened coating 200. Optionally, the material of the hardened coating 200 can be protein, sugar, etc. When preparing the hardened coating 200 on the surface of the flexible neural probe 100, a biocompatible substance solution is first obtained. Optionally, the biocompatible solution includes but is not limited to a silk protein solution, a polysaccharide solution, a polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer solution or a chitosan solution, etc. Then, the biocompatible solution is injected into the groove so that the biocompatible solution partially covers or completely covers the flexible neural probe 100.

[0085] S1807: The biocompatible material solution is solidified to obtain a flexible neural probe implant structure.

[0086] In the embodiment of the present application, the biocompatible solution is solidified on the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 by solidifying the biocompatible solution, thereby obtaining a flexible neural probe implant structure. The specific solidification treatment method can be determined according to the selected biocompatible solution. For example, the selected biocompatible solution is a silk protein solution, and the silk protein solution is solidified on the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 by airing or drying the silk protein solution. For another example, the selected biocompatible solution is a polysaccharide solution, and the polysaccharide solution can be solidified on the surface of the flexible neural probe 100 by drying, caramelization and other treatments.

[0087] The present application also provides a mold for preparing a flexible neural probe implant structure. The mold 300 is used to prepare the flexible neural probe implant structure as described above. Figures 19 to 21 As shown, the mold 300 is provided with grooves of a preset structure, including a coating portion groove 301 and a fixing portion groove 302. The coating portion groove 301 is used to form a coating portion 202 on at least a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe 100. The fixing portion groove 302 is used to form a fixing portion 201 connected to an implant device.

[0088] In the embodiment of the present application, the coating portion groove 301 includes at least two groove surfaces, and each of the at least two groove surfaces is a curved surface. The mold 300 has a probe fixing area, and the probe fixing area is used to fix the flexible neural probe 100. The side of the probe fixing area close to the fixing portion groove 302 is the first side, and the side away from the fixing portion groove 302 is the second side. The edge distance between the first side and the coating portion groove 301 is greater than the edge distance between the second side and the coating portion groove 301.

[0089] It should be understood that the mold 300 is used to prepare a flexible neural probe implant structure, and the specific structure of the mold 300 can be designed according to the determined flexible neural probe implant structure.

[0090] The embodiment of the present application also provides a flexible neural probe 100 implantation device, which is used to implant the flexible neural probe implantation structure as described above.

[0091] In the embodiment of the present application, the implantation device is used to cooperate with the flexible nerve probe implantation structure to complete the implantation of the flexible nerve probe 100. Optionally, the implantation device can be a surgical robot, and the surgical robot has a clamping arm. Fig. 22 A schematic diagram of the structure of an implantation robot arm 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Fig. 22As shown, one end of the implantation mechanical arm 400 is provided with a connection end 401, and the connection end 401 can be matched and connected with the fixing part 201 in the flexible nerve probe implantation structure, so that the implantation mechanical arm 400 can implant the flexible nerve probe implantation structure. Optionally, the connection end 401 can be provided with a fixing structure 402 that cooperates with the connection structure 203 on the fixing part 201, so as to achieve connection with the fixing part 201. In some embodiments, the connection end 401 can also be a suction cup, and the suction cup can absorb and fix the fixing part 201 by negative pressure to achieve connection with the fixing part 201. In other embodiments, the connection end 401 and the fixing part 201 can also be connected by bonding, clamping, etc.

[0092] The flexible neural probe implant structure, preparation method and implant device described in the embodiments of the present application increase the rigidity of the flexible neural probe by providing a layer of degradable hardening coating on the surface of the flexible neural probe, so that the obtained flexible neural probe implant structure can realize the implantation of the flexible neural probe without relying on a guide device. In addition, by designing the structure of the hardening coating, a fixing portion is provided on the hardening layer by an integrated molding method, so that it can be connected and matched with the implant device, avoiding the influence of the hardening coating on the rigidity of the hardening coating by directly clamping the hardening coating, and simplifying the preparation operation.

[0093] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A flexible neural probe implant structure, characterized in that: include: A flexible neural probe (100) and a hardened coating (200); The hardened coating (200) comprises a coating portion (202) and at least one fixing portion (201); The hardened coating (200) is obtained by curing a biocompatible material solution, and the Young's modulus of the hardened coating (200) after curing is greater than the Young's modulus of the flexible neural probe (100); The coating portion (202) is arranged on at least part of the surface of the flexible neural probe (100), and the coating portion (202) is used to improve the rigidity of the flexible neural probe (100); the surface of the flexible neural probe (100) where the electrode point (101) is exposed is the electrode point surface; at least one of the electrode point surfaces in the flexible neural probe (100) is not covered by the coating portion (202), or the thickness of the coating portion (202) on at least one of the electrode point surfaces in the flexible neural probe (100) is less than the thickness of the coating portion (202) on the remaining surface of the flexible neural probe (100); The flexible nerve probe (100) comprises an implantation end (103), and the position of the fixing portion (201) corresponds to the position of the implantation end (103); The coating portion (202) and the fixing portion (201) are integrally formed; The method for preparing the flexible neural probe implant structure comprises: Obtaining a mold (300), wherein the mold (300) is provided with grooves of a preset structure, wherein the grooves include a coating portion groove (301) and a fixing portion groove (302), wherein the coating portion groove (301) is used to form the coating portion (202) on at least a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe (100), and the fixing portion groove (302) is used to form the fixing portion (201) connected to an implant device; placing the flexible neural probe (100) in the groove; injecting a biocompatible substance solution into the groove, so that the surface of the flexible neural probe (100) is at least partially immersed in the biocompatible substance solution; The biocompatible substance solution is solidified to obtain the flexible neural probe implant structure.

2. The flexible neural probe implant structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible neural probe (100) further comprises an implantation tip (102), and the thickness of the coating portion (202) gradually increases from the implantation tip (102) end to the implantation end (103).

3. The flexible neural probe implant structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coating portion (202) comprises at least two side surfaces, and the connection between the at least two side surfaces is a rounded corner.

4. The flexible neural probe implant structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coating portion (202) comprises at least three side surfaces, and each of the at least three side surfaces is a concave arc surface.

5. The flexible neural probe implant structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hardened coating (200) comprises a fixed portion (201), and the coating portion (202) located on one side of the fixed portion (201) has a thickness greater than the coating portion (202) located on a side away from the fixed portion (201).

6. The flexible neural probe implant structure according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The hardened coating (200) comprises a plurality of fixing portions (201), and the number of the fixing portions (201) is the same as the number of side surfaces of the coating portion (202).

7. The flexible neural probe implant structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing portion (201) is provided with a connection structure (203), and the connection structure (203) is used to be connected to the implant device.

8. A mold for preparing a flexible neural probe implant structure, characterized in that: The mold (300) is used to prepare the flexible neural probe implant structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 7; The mold (300) is provided with a groove with a preset structure; The groove comprises a coating portion groove (301) and a fixing portion groove (302); The coating portion groove (301) is used to form a coating portion (202) on at least a portion of the surface of the flexible neural probe (100); The fixing portion groove (302) is used to form a fixing portion (201) connected to an implant device.

9. The mold according to claim 8, wherein the coating portion groove (301) comprises at least two groove surfaces, and each of the at least two groove surfaces is a curved surface.

10. The mold according to claim 8, wherein the mold (300) has a probe fixing area, and the probe fixing area is used to fix the flexible neural probe (100); A side of the probe fixing area close to the fixing portion groove (302) is a first side, and a side away from the fixing portion groove (302) is a second side; The distance between the first side and the edge of the coating portion groove (301) is greater than the distance between the second side and the edge of the coating portion groove (301).

11. A flexible neural probe (100) implantation device, characterized in that: The implantation device is used to implant the flexible neural probe implantation structure as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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