Mechanical locking nerve probe based on water response type super-shrinkage polymer

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of nerve probes, and provides a mechanical locking nerve probe based on a water response type super-shrinkage polymer. The mechanical locking nerve probe based on the water response type super-shrinkage polymer comprises a steel needle, a flexible nerve probe and a water response type super-shrinkage polymer micro-column, the water response type super-shrinkage polymer micro-column is arranged at the tip of the steel needle; a through hole is formed in the tip of the flexible nerve probe, and the aperture of the through hole is smaller than the diameter of the water response type super-shrinkage polymer micro-column; the water response type super-shrinkage polymer micro-column is meshed with the through hole in the tip of the flexible nerve probe. Water response type super-shrinkage polymer films are further prepared on the surfaces of the steel needle and the flexible nerve probe through modified gel. The technical problem that in the prior art, a flexible nerve probe is difficult to implant is effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of neural probes, and in particular to a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-contractile polymer. Background Art

[0002] An ultra-flexible neural probe is a tool used to monitor or stimulate the nervous system, characterized by high flexibility and biocompatibility. This technology is widely used in neuroscience research, brain-computer interfaces, and the treatment of neurological diseases. Although ultra-flexible neural probes effectively solve chronic tissue reactions, they bring about the problem of implantation difficulties. Existing strategies for tempering flexible probes are not fully applicable to ultra-flexible probes. For example, increasing the thickness or shortening the effective length greatly limits the size of the probe, and for ultra-flexible probes, no matter how short the effective length is, the probe stiffness is not sufficient for successful implantation, especially when a specified insertion depth is required.

[0003] Traditional shuttle insertion techniques often suffer from low insertion accuracy and potential trauma to neural tissue during implantation. Furthermore, poor fixation can lead to displacement or dislodgment of the shuttle, compromising implant effectiveness and stability.

[0004] The present invention provides a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer. The steel needle is manufactured through a simple adhesion process, with a deformable water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn as a stopper edge. During implantation, the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn temporarily engages with the through-hole at the tip of the flexible neural probe, allowing it to smoothly penetrate into the brain thanks to the rigidity of the steel needle. After implantation, the volume of the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn decreases due to contact with body fluids, allowing the steel needle to separate from the flexible neural probe. This effectively resolves the technical issue of the difficulty in implanting flexible neural probes, ensures the safe removal of the steel needle and water-absorbing material, and reduces damage to neural tissue. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-contractile polymer, which is used to solve the technical problem in the prior art that flexible neural probes are difficult to implant.

[0006] On the one hand, the present invention provides a mechanical locking neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer, comprising: a steel needle, a flexible neural probe and a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn; the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is arranged at the tip of the steel needle; a through hole is opened at the tip of the flexible neural probe, and the hole diameter is smaller than the diameter of the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn; the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is engaged with the through hole at the tip of the flexible neural probe.

[0007] According to the present invention, a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-contractile polymer is provided, and a method for preparing the flexible neural probe comprises the following steps: depositing a polyimide film on a substrate by chemical vapor deposition; Patterning is performed on the polyimide film by photolithography or electron beam exposure technology; Depositing a conductive material on the polyimide film by chemical vapor deposition; The prepared probe is treated for biocompatibility using a surface coating; A through hole was etched at the top by ion etching to obtain a flexible neural probe.

[0008] According to the present invention, a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer is provided, wherein the preparation method of the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn comprises the following steps: α-cyclodextrin is mixed with polyethylene glycol solution, and the mixture is kept warm and then cooled to room temperature to obtain a composite gel; The composite gel is mixed with a polyethylene oxide solution, and sealed and kept warm to obtain a modified gel; After drying and cutting, water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumns were obtained.

[0009] According to the mechanical locking neural probe based on a water-responsive super-contractile polymer provided by the present invention, the mass volume ratio of the α-cyclodextrin to the polyethylene glycol solution is 5-15 g:40-60 mL.

[0010] According to the mechanical locking neural probe based on a water-responsive super-contractile polymer provided by the present invention, the polyethylene glycol solution is a 1-4 wt % polyethylene glycol aqueous solution.

[0011] According to the present invention, a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-contractile polymer is provided, wherein the mass-to-volume ratio of the composite gel to the polyethylene oxide solution is 5-15 g:120-180 mL.

[0012] According to the mechanical locking neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer provided by the present invention, the polyethylene oxide solution is a 2-6 wt % polyethylene oxide aqueous solution.

[0013] According to the mechanical locking neural probe based on a water-responsive super-contractile polymer provided by the present invention, the α-cyclodextrin and the polyethylene glycol solution are mixed at 40-80° C., and the insulation time is 10-20 hours.

[0014] According to the mechanical locking neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer provided by the present invention, the sealing and heat preservation temperature is 40-80° C., and the sealing and heat preservation time is 10-20 hours.

[0015] According to the present invention, a mechanical locking nerve probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer is provided, wherein the surface of the steel needle is prepared with a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer film by modifying the gel, and the surface of the flexible nerve probe is prepared with a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer film by modifying the gel.

[0016] The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer provided by the present invention is characterized by arranging a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn as a stopping edge at the tip of a steel needle. The water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is temporarily engaged with the through-hole at the tip of the flexible neural probe, and smoothly passes into the brain with the help of the rigidity of the steel needle. After implantation, the volume of the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is reduced due to contact with body fluids, thereby achieving separation of the steel needle and the flexible neural probe, solving the technical problem that the flexible neural probe is difficult to implant, and achieving the beneficial effects of convenient implantation process and reduced damage to neural tissue. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the flexible neural probe structure of a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Reference numerals: 1. Steel needle; 2. Flexible neural probe; 3. Polymer micropillar; 21. Electrode; 22. Through hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] The present invention provides a mechanical locking neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer, comprising: a steel needle, a flexible neural probe and a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn; the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is arranged at the tip of the steel needle; a through hole is opened at the tip of the flexible neural probe, and the hole diameter is smaller than the diameter of the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn; the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is engaged with the through hole at the tip of the flexible neural probe.

[0022] In the present invention, the method for preparing the flexible neural probe comprises the following steps: depositing a polyimide film on a substrate by chemical vapor deposition; Patterning is performed on the polyimide film by photolithography or electron beam exposure technology; Depositing a conductive material on the polyimide film by chemical vapor deposition; The prepared probe is treated for biocompatibility using a surface coating; A through hole was etched at the top by ion etching to obtain a flexible neural probe.

[0023] In the present invention, the method for preparing the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumns comprises the following steps: α-cyclodextrin is mixed with polyethylene glycol solution, and the mixture is kept warm and then cooled to room temperature to obtain a composite gel; The composite gel is mixed with a polyethylene oxide solution, and sealed and kept warm to obtain a modified gel; After drying and cutting, water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumns were obtained.

[0024] In the present invention, the mass volume ratio of the α-cyclodextrin to the polyethylene glycol solution is 5-15 g:40-60 mL, preferably 7-13 g:45-55 mL, and more preferably 9-11 g:48-52 mL.

[0025] In the present invention, the polyethylene glycol solution is a 1-4 wt % polyethylene glycol aqueous solution, preferably 2-3 wt %.

[0026] In the present invention, the mass volume ratio of the composite gel to the polyethylene oxide solution is 5-15 g:120-180 mL, preferably 7-13 g:130-170 mL, and more preferably 9-11 g:140-160 mL.

[0027] In the present invention, the polyethylene oxide solution is a 2-6 wt % polyethylene oxide aqueous solution, preferably 3-5 wt %.

[0028] In the present invention, the α-cyclodextrin and polyethylene glycol solution are mixed at 40-80° C., preferably 50-70° C., and more preferably 55-65° C.; the insulation time is 10-20 hours, preferably 12-18 hours, and more preferably 14-16 hours.

[0029] In the present invention, the sealing and heat preservation temperature is 40-80° C., and the sealing and heat preservation time is 10-20 hours.

[0030] In the present invention, a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer film is prepared on the surface of the steel needle by modifying the gel, and a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer film is prepared on the surface of the flexible nerve probe by modifying the gel.

[0031] The following combination Figures 1 to 3 The present invention describes a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer.

[0032] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the mechanical locking nerve probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes: a steel needle, a flexible nerve probe and a water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer microcolumn. The surface of the steel needle is prepared with a water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer film by modifying the gel, which can reduce the possibility of tissue damage during insertion.

[0034] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] like Figure 2As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a mechanical locking neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer, in which a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is provided at the tip of a steel needle, and the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is engaged with the through-hole at the tip of the flexible neural probe. Before the electrode is inserted into the brain, the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is engaged with the through-hole at the tip of the super-flexible neural probe. When the steel needle penetrates the brain, the flexible neural probe will also be dragged into the brain along the footprint of the insertion shuttle. After being inserted into the humid brain environment, the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn will shrink, separating the flexible neural probe from the steel needle. After the steel needle is pulled out, the flexible neural probe remains in the brain and will not cause additional brain damage.

[0036] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the flexible neural probe structure of a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present invention provides a mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer. The tip of the flexible neural probe has a through-hole smaller than the diameter of the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer micropillar. The surface of the flexible neural probe is coated with a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer film prepared by modifying the gel, which can reduce the possibility of tissue damage during insertion.

[0038] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mechanically locked neural probe based on a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer, characterized in that: include: A steel needle, a flexible nerve probe and a water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn; the polymer microcolumn is arranged at the tip of the steel needle; the tip of the flexible nerve probe is provided with a through hole, the hole diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn; the water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumn is engaged with the through hole at the tip of the flexible nerve probe.

2. The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method for preparing the flexible neural probe comprises the following steps: depositing a polyimide film on a substrate by chemical vapor deposition; Patterning is performed on the polyimide film by photolithography or electron beam exposure technology; Depositing a conductive material on the polyimide film by chemical vapor deposition; A through hole was etched at the top by ion etching to obtain a flexible neural probe.

3. The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method for preparing the water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer microcolumn comprises the following steps: α-cyclodextrin is mixed with polyethylene glycol solution, and the mixture is kept warm and then cooled to room temperature to obtain a composite gel; The composite gel is mixed with a polyethylene oxide solution, and sealed and kept warm to obtain a modified gel; After drying and cutting, water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer microcolumns were obtained.

4. The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mass volume ratio of the α-cyclodextrin to the polyethylene glycol solution is 5-15 g:40-60 mL.

5. The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The polyethylene glycol solution is a 1-4 wt % polyethylene glycol aqueous solution.

6. The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mass volume ratio of the composite gel to the polyethylene oxide solution is 5-15 g:120-180 mL.

7. The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The polyethylene oxide solution is a 2-6 wt % polyethylene oxide aqueous solution.

8. The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The α-cyclodextrin and polyethylene glycol solution are mixed at 40-80° C., and the heat preservation time is 10-20 hours.

9. The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sealing and heat preservation temperature is 40-80° C., and the sealing and heat preservation time is 10-20 hours.

10. The mechanical locking neural probe based on water-responsive super-shrinkable polymer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The surface of the steel needle is prepared with a water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer film by modifying the gel, and the surface of the flexible nerve probe is prepared with a water-responsive super-shrinkage polymer film by modifying the gel.

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