An implantable electrode propulsion and protection device

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of neuroelectrophysiology and brain stereotaxy, and provides an implantable electrode pushing and protecting device. The device is provided with a separable electrode protecting assembly and a base assembly fixed on the skull. The electrode does not need to be preformed before leaving the factory, and the electrode can be flexibly driven or replaced in the operation of the electrode protecting assembly without involving the base assembly in contact with the skull. The adjustment and use of the implanted electrode are more flexible and convenient.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of neural electrophysiology and brain stereotactic positioning, and particularly relates to an implantable electrode pushing and protecting device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the current research of brain science, the rhesus monkey is close to human in terms of genetic similarity, and its brain structure is close to that of human and has many homologous brain regions. With the breakthroughs in somatic cell cloned monkeys and transgenic rhesus monkeys, the advantages of rhesus monkeys as model animals are also increasingly prominent. In the research of the functions of specific brain regions, craniotomy surgery on rhesus monkeys is a common experimental project, including virus injection, drug injection, cannula implantation, electrode implantation, electrophysiological recording, etc. Generally, an external device for fixing and protecting the electrode is installed outside the skull, and then the microelectrode clamped by the device is used to collect signals in the brain tissue.

[0003] The key difficulty in this process is the movement and replacement of the electrode. Generally, after the intracranial electrophysiological device is installed, it is difficult to adjust the electrode in a large range, and it is even more difficult to remove and replace the electrode. With the advancement of technology, if the electrophysiological device is to be upgraded to a more advanced electrode, the device can only be removed through craniotomy surgery, and the electrode can only be reinstalled. This method is quite troublesome to replace the electrode, and multiple craniotomy surgeries, large wound area and great harm to animals; the electrode used for intracranial electrophysiology is expensive, and repeated removal and installation may cause damage to the electrode and the base, which is not conducive to repeated use. The prior art has disadvantages. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide an implantable electrode pushing and protecting device, which aims to solve one of the problems that the existing implantable electrode is pre-customized and loaded when it leaves the factory, does not support flexible replacement, and must be removed through craniotomy surgery to replace the electrode.

[0005] The present application provides an implantable electrode pushing and protecting device, which comprises an electrode protecting assembly and a base assembly for fixing the electrode protecting assembly on the skull and connecting the electrode to the brain;

[0006] The electrode protecting assembly comprises a fixed part with a stepped longitudinal cross section, an upper part fixedly connected to the top of the fixed part and defining a vertical movement zone of the stepped area, and a moving part movably connected to the bottom of the fixed part in the vertical movement zone; the moving part is provided with a driving seat matched with the shape of the cross section of the vertical movement zone and a mounting seat provided on one side of the driving seat and protruding outward of the vertical movement zone to the stepped area, and the electrode is inserted into the mounting seat and driven by the moving part.

[0007] The electrode protection assembly and the base assembly for fixing it on the skull are separable, the electrode does not need to be pre-made when leaving the factory, and the electrode can be flexibly driven or replaced in the electrode protection assembly without involving the base assembly in contact with the skull. The arrangement and use of the electrode are flexible and convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a fixing part structure provided by the present application;

[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an upper part structure provided by the present application;

[0010] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a moving part structure provided by the present application;

[0011] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a base structure provided by the present application;

[0012] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a protective cover structure provided by the present application.

[0013] Reference signs: 1, fixing part; 11, top part; 12, bottom part; 2, upper part; 3, moving part; 31, driving seat; 32, mounting seat; 4, protective cover; 5, base; 51, supporting part; 52, fitting part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the present application more clear, the present application is further described in detail below in combination with the drawings and examples. It should be understood that the specific examples described herein are only used to explain the present application and do not limit the present application.

[0015] The specific implementation of the present application is described in detail below in combination with specific examples:

[0016] Examples:

[0017] Figures 1-5 An implantable electrode advancing and protecting device provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown, which includes an electrode protection assembly and a base 5 assembly for fixing the electrode protection assembly on the skull and connecting and leading the electrode to insert into the brain;

[0018] The electrode protection assembly includes: a fixed part 1 with a stepped longitudinal cross section, an upper part 2 fixedly connected to the top 11 of the fixed part 1 and defining the stepped area as a vertical moving area, and a moving part 3 movably connected to the bottom 12 of the fixed part 1 within the vertical moving area; the moving part 3 is provided with a drive seat 31 whose shape matches the cross section of the vertical moving area and a mounting seat 32 provided on one side of the drive seat 31 and protruding outward from the stepped area into the vertical moving area, the electrode is inserted into the mounting seat 32 and driven by the moving part 3.

[0019] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the cross-section of the fixed part 1 and the cross-section of the upper part 2 are the same superior arc shape; the cross-section of the mounting base 32 of the moving part 3 is inferior arc shape. When the drive seat 31 of the moving part 3 contacts the bottom 12 of the fixed part 1, the cross-section of the mounting base 32 and the cross-section of the fixed part 1 are combined into a circle, which can limit the horizontal displacement of the moving part 3 and reduce the vibration of the moving part 3 when driven by the lead screw.

[0020] Furthermore, both the fixing part 1 and the upper part 2 have lead screw through holes at the center of the corresponding circular shape of the bow shape; three evenly distributed fixing through holes are provided on the outside of the lead screw through holes; three screws pass through the corresponding fixing through holes of the fixing part 1 and the upper part 2 to form a rigid triangle, so that the fixing part 1 and the upper part 2 are fixedly connected.

[0021] Furthermore, at least two openings are provided on the drive seat 31 of the moving part 3, corresponding to the positions of the fixing through holes of the fixing part 1 and the upper part 2. Two screws are screwed into the bottom 12 of the fixing part 1 through the upper part 2, restricting the horizontal displacement of the moving part 3.

[0022] Furthermore, the drive seat 31 of the moving part 3 has an opening corresponding to the lead screw through hole on the base of the fixed part 1 and the lead screw through hole of the upper part 2, and a nut is inserted into the opening; the countersunk hexagonal screw passes through the lead screw through hole of the upper part 2, passes through the nut in the opening of the moving part 3, and is then inserted into the lead screw through hole corresponding to the fixed part 1; rotating the countersunk hexagonal screw can drive the moving part 3 to perform vertical displacement.

[0023] Specifically, the drive design of the moving part 3, by introducing a lead screw-driven moving device into the electrode clamping component, allows for convenient movement and replacement of the electrodes. This avoids the need for craniotomy for electrode replacement, significantly simplifying the operation.

[0024] Furthermore, the mounting base 32 of the movable part 3 has an electrode groove in the vertical direction that matches the tail end shape of the electrode; after the tail end of the electrode is inserted into the electrode groove, it moves vertically with the movable part 3. The groove is designed to be open, which facilitates the replacement and maintenance of the electrode.

[0025] like Figure 4 and 5As shown, the base 5 assembly includes the base 5 fixedly connected with the electrode protection assembly and the protective cover 4 covering the base 5 and the electrode protection assembly;

[0026] The upper half of the base 5 is a supporting portion 51, and the lower half is a fitting portion 52; the protective cover 4 is fixedly connected with the peripheral area of the supporting portion 51 through a tightening screw; the internal precision instruments and chips can be protected from being damaged by animals.

[0027] Further, the supporting portion 51 is provided with a circular groove matching the shape after the mounting seat 32 and the bottom 12 are combined; the bottom surface of the circular groove is provided with an electrode perforation corresponding to the vertical position of the electrode groove;

[0028] In specific implementation, the electrode perforation is sealed by a silica gel tube, which can further protect the brain after craniotomy from being damaged and reduce the infection probability.

[0029] The fitting portion 52 is a reserved area matching the shape of the skull; after the fitting portion 52 is cut using a model of the position of the skull requiring craniotomy, the remaining fitting portion 52 can be precisely fitted to the craniotomy area of the skull.

[0030] Specifically, the base 5 component is added with a reserved area to conform to the precise design of the shape of the skull, realizing firm fitting of the entire device, so that the base 5 can be used at any position of the skull. The lower side of the fitting portion 52 has a plurality of grooves for bonding the bone cement for sealing the skull during surgery, providing fastening force for the device.

[0031] Further, the supporting portion 51 is further provided with a rectangular groove on one side of the circular groove for placing the control chip of the electrode.

[0032] In specific implementation, the base 5 can also be manufactured by computer-aided modeling and using 3D printing technology, which can be precisely customized according to the skull of the experimental animal, and perfect fitting can be achieved without cutting in the later stage, and stable installation can be achieved at any position of the skull.

[0033] In other embodiments, the cross section of the fixed portion 1 and the cross section of the upper portion 2 are the same rectangular shape; the cross section of the mounting seat 32 of the moving portion 3 is rectangular, and when the mounting seat 32 of the moving portion 3 is in contact with the bottom 12, the cross section of the mounting seat 32 and the cross section of the fixed portion 1 are combined into a rectangular shape.

[0034] The application provides an implantable electrode protection device integrating electrode movement and replacement functions. Compared with the existing SC96, the separation and combination of the electrode protection assembly and the base 5 assembly make the manufacturing simpler, the cost lower, and the electrode re-deployment supported. In particular, the base 5 is provided with a fitting part 52 capable of being accurately manufactured according to the shape of the skull, can be used at any site of the skull, the base 5 has a small opening area, and through the 3-layer structure of the electrode protection assembly and the 2-layer structure of the base 5 assembly, the multi-layer protection mode is beneficial to protecting the brain tissue after craniotomy and reducing the infection probability.

[0035] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the application and is not used to limit the application. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the application should be included in the protection scope of the application.

Claims

1. An implantable electrode advancement and protection device, comprising: The electrode protection assembly and the base assembly for fixing the electrode protection assembly on the skull and leading the electrode into the brain; The electrode protection assembly comprises a fixed part with a stepped longitudinal cross section, an upper part fixedly connected with the top of the fixed part and defining a vertical moving area of the stepped area, and a moving part movably connected with the bottom of the fixed part in the vertical moving area; the moving part is provided with a driving seat matching the shape of the cross section of the vertical moving area and a mounting seat provided on one side of the driving seat and protruding the vertical moving area to the outside of the stepped area, and the electrode is inserted into the mounting seat and driven by the moving part.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The cross section of the fixed part and the upper part is the same superior arc shape; the cross section of the mounting seat of the moving part is inferior arc shape, and when the driving seat of the moving part is in contact with the bottom of the fixed part, the cross section of the mounting seat and the cross section of the fixed part are combined into a circular shape.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The fixed part and the upper part are both provided with a screw rod through hole at the center position of the superior arc shape corresponding to the circular shape; the outer side of the screw rod through hole is provided with three evenly distributed fixed through holes; three screws pass through the corresponding fixed through holes of the fixed part and the upper part to form a rigid triangle, so that the fixed part and the upper part are fixedly connected.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, At least two openings corresponding to the positions of the fixed through holes of the fixed part and the upper part are formed on the driving seat of the moving part, and two screws are screwed into the bottom of the fixed part from the upper part through the moving part to limit the horizontal displacement of the moving part.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein, An opening corresponding to the positions of the screw rod through holes on the base of the fixed part and the screw rod through hole of the upper part is formed on the driving seat of the moving part, and the opening is inlaid with a nut; a countersunk hexagonal screw is inserted into the corresponding screw rod through hole of the fixed part after passing through the nut of the opening of the moving part from the screw rod through hole of the upper part; rotating the countersunk hexagonal screw can drive the moving part to vertically displace.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, An electrode groove matching the shape of the tail end of the electrode is formed on the mounting seat of the moving part in the vertical direction; after the tail end of the electrode is inserted into the electrode groove, the moving part vertically displaces along with the electrode.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, The base assembly comprises a base for fixing the electrode protection assembly and a protective cover covering the base and the electrode protection assembly; The upper half of the base is a supporting part, and the lower half is a fitting part; the protective cover is fixedly connected with the peripheral area of the supporting part by a set screw.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein, The supporting part is provided with a circular groove matching the shape of the combined mounting seat and bottom part; an electrode through hole is formed on the bottom surface of the circular groove corresponding to the vertical position of the electrode groove; The fitting part is a reserved area matching the shape of the skull; after the fitting part is cut by using a model of the position of the skull where craniotomy is needed, the remaining fitting part can accurately fit the craniotomy area of the skull.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein, The supporting part is further provided with a rectangular groove on one side of the circular groove.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The cross section of the fixed part and the cross section of the upper part are the same rectangle; the cross section of the mounting seat of the moving part is rectangle, and when the mounting seat of the moving part contacts with the bottom part, the cross section of the mounting seat and the cross section of the fixed part are combined into rectangle.

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