Subskull epidural micro-invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode

Abstract

The invention is applicable to the technical field of medical instruments, and provides a subskull epidural micro-invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode, which comprises a plurality of electrode branches, each electrode branch comprises a linear flexible main body, and the flexible main body comprises a micro power supply circuit and a signal circuit which are solidified. A plurality of electrode units are arranged on the micro power supply circuit and the signal circuit at intervals, and the electrode units are electrically connected with the micro power supply circuit and the signal circuit. The brain-computer interface electrode is in a flexible line type, can be implanted into the middle artery of the meninx, does not need craniotomy, is a micro-invasive brain-computer interface, has data monitoring accuracy close to that of an invasive brain-computer interface, does not need to worry about inflammatory response, immunostimulation, biocompatibility, brain tissue damage and other adverse factors after long-term implantation, and is suitable for popularization and application. And the thrombogenic risk of a vein stent brain-computer interface does not exist.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The application belongs to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly relates to a subdural epidural minimally invasive flexible brain-machine interface electrode. BACKGROUND

[0002] The meaning of brain-machine interface is to create an information channel between the brain and the outside world, and realize a new type of cross-technology of direct information interaction between the two. It collects intracranial or extracranial brain neural activity through a recording device, decodes the neural activity through a machine learning model, analyzes the subjective intention and other information contained in the neural activity, outputs corresponding instructions based on the information, controls external devices to realize behaviors consistent with human subjective will, and receives feedback signals from external devices to form a closed-loop system.

[0003] According to the position of signal acquisition, brain-machine interface technology is divided into non-invasive and invasive types. Among them, the non-invasive brain-machine interface does not need surgery and obtains central nervous signals on the scalp surface or nearby, including scalp electroencephalogram (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), magnetoencephalogram (MEG), functional nuclear magnetic resonance (fMRI) and ultrasonic technology, etc. It has lower risk and higher convenience. The invasive brain-machine interface implants brain-machine interface devices through surgery, has higher signal acquisition capability, and shows its unique advantages in specific fields.

[0004] Overall, the non-invasive brain-machine interface avoids direct invasion of brain tissue, has good safety, high user acceptance and low cost, and the most commonly used is the brain-machine interface system based on EEG signal. The non-invasive brain-machine interface technology is limited by the bandwidth and spatiotemporal resolution of the brain electrical signal, and the realized brain-machine interaction paradigm is often not intuitive enough. The invasive brain-machine interface usually uses implanted neural microelectrodes, such as stereoelectroencephalogram (sEEG) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) intracerebral electrode sensing technology. The invasive brain-machine interface has higher spatiotemporal resolution and signal strength, can provide better control accuracy and response speed, and can realize complex motion control and interactive tasks. However, the invasive brain-machine interface has great limitations:

[0005] Firstly, there is a great risk and trauma of craniotomy. The risk of craniotomy: implanting electrodes requires craniotomy, which has the risk of infection, bleeding and brain tissue damage. Long-term complications: implanting electrodes may cause chronic inflammation, glial scar formation and neuron damage.

[0006] Secondly, there are signal attenuation and acquisition stability problems. Signal attenuation: after long-term implantation, glial scar may form around the electrode, leading to signal quality decline. Mechanical stability: the electrode may lose contact due to brain tissue micro-motion or displacement, affecting signal acquisition.

[0007] Third, there are issues related to immune responses and biocompatibility. Immune rejection: Implanted electrodes may trigger an immune response, leading to inflammation and fibrosis in the tissue surrounding the electrode. Material limitations: The biocompatibility and durability of existing electrode materials still need improvement.

[0008] There are also some venous stent brain-computer interfaces, but these types of brain-computer structures pose a risk of thrombosis.

[0009] Therefore, although invasive brain-computer interfaces currently offer higher spatiotemporal resolution and signal strength, this technology requires surgery, posing certain risks and side effects to patients. Furthermore, the implantation of electrodes or probes may cause complications such as infection and bleeding. Additionally, the cost is relatively high, the technology is technically challenging, and the technology can gradually become ineffective due to rejection. Patient acceptance is still relatively low. Therefore, there is a need for a brain-computer interface technology and product that ensures accuracy while also possessing good safety and being non-rejecting. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In view of the above problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide a subcranial epidural minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode, which aims to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the existing invasive brain-computer interface technology.

[0011] The present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0012] The minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode includes multiple electrode branches, each electrode branch including a linear flexible body, the flexible body including a fixed micro power line and a signal line, and multiple electrode units are arranged at intervals on the micro power line and the signal line, the electrode units being electrically connected to the micro power line and the signal line.

[0013] Furthermore, the electrode units are evenly spaced on the flexible body, and the number is 2. N N is a natural number, and each electrode branch forms 2 N Sampling channel.

[0014] Furthermore, N takes values ​​from 4 to 8, corresponding to sampling channel values ​​ranging from 16 to 256.

[0015] Furthermore, the width of the electrode branch is 0.1~0.3mm and the length is 10~50mm.

[0016] Furthermore, the minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode also includes a main cable, which is electrically connected to each electrode branch via a connector.

[0017] Furthermore, the electrode branches are released and implanted under the skull and epidural space via the external carotid artery-middle meningeal artery system to effectively monitor the functional areas of the underlying brain cortex. Different electrode branches are located in different positions to comprehensively monitor the areas that need to be monitored.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0019] First, the surgery is safe and the data acquisition is precise. By using the middle meningeal artery, the brain-computer interface can be implanted under the skull and outside the dura mater without opening the skull. This minimally invasive method approaches the precision of invasive brain-computer interfaces while avoiding the high level of mixed signals found in non-invasive brain-computer interfaces.

[0020] Secondly, long-term implantation is safe. There is no need to worry about adverse factors such as inflammatory reactions, immune stimulation, biocompatibility, and brain tissue damage after long-term implantation. It can effectively monitor and regulate the cortical functional areas of the middle meningeal artery course.

[0021] Third, there is no risk of thrombosis. The flexible electrode branch is released and implanted through the external carotid-middle meningeal artery system, which, unlike the thrombotic risks of venous stent brain-computer interfaces, minimizes intracranial hemorrhage / thrombosis events. Even if long-term implantation is required, there is no need to worry about complications associated with invasive intracranial brain-computer interfaces. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the human head.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of an existing array-type brain-computer interface electrode;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode provided in this embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a magnified view of a portion of an electrode branch;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the implantation location of the electrode branch. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0028] To illustrate the technical solution described in this invention, specific embodiments are described below.

[0029] like Figure 1As shown, the main structures of the head, from the outside in, include the scalp, skull, dura mater, pia mater, and brain tissue, as well as the periosteum and arachnoid mater. Electrodes for invasive brain-computer interfaces are typically implanted in the cerebral cortex or specific brain regions. Through surgery, the electrodes are placed in areas with dense neuronal activity to acquire high-precision signals. The most common implantation site is the cerebral cortex, where electrodes are surgically implanted onto the surface of the brain to directly contact neuronal cells, allowing for the acquisition of high-resolution signals.

[0030] A brain-computer interface (BCI) system comprises four parts: signal acquisition, signal processing, control peripherals, and neurofeedback. The signal acquisition component captures and records signals emitted by the brain. The signal processing component extracts useful information from the neural signals and interprets them as instructions to drive external devices. The control peripherals can be a computer system or a machine system. Neurofeedback transmits information from the external environment back to the brain or provides corresponding stimulation. This embodiment focuses on the signal acquisition part, namely the BCI electrodes. The other parts are not the focus of this embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0031] Common invasive brain-computer interface electrodes are typically array-type, containing multiple rows and columns of electrode units, such as... Figure 2 As shown, after the brain-computer interface (BCI) electrodes are attached to the surface of brain tissue, the electrode array can effectively monitor and regulate the corresponding cortical functional areas. However, the operation of such invasive BCI electrodes usually requires craniotomy, such as implanting the electrodes into the surface of brain tissue, which carries the risks of infection, hemorrhage, and brain tissue damage. Furthermore, electrode implantation may lead to chronic inflammation, glial scarring, and neuronal damage. Therefore, this embodiment provides a minimally invasive, flexible BCI electrode implanted in the middle meningeal artery outside the dura mater under the skull. This eliminates the need for craniotomy, achieves detection accuracy close to that of invasive BCI electrodes, and avoids the high levels of mixed signals found in non-invasive BCIs, resulting in better safety.

[0032] Specifically, such as Figure 3 , 4 As shown, the minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode includes multiple electrode branches 1, each electrode branch 1 including a linear flexible body 11, the flexible body 11 including a fixed micro power line and a signal line, and multiple electrode units 12 are arranged at intervals on the micro power line and the signal line, the electrode units 12 being electrically connected to the micro power line and the signal line.

[0033] This brain-computer interface electrode includes multiple electrode branches 1, each with a flexible linear structure rather than a conventional array structure. The electrode branches 1 are narrow in width and relatively long in length, and multiple electrode units can be located on a single branch. As one embodiment, the electrode units 12 are evenly spaced on the flexible body 11, with a total number of 2. NN is a natural number, and each electrode branch forms 2. N Sampling channels. The value of N is 4 to 8, and the corresponding sampling channel value range is 16 to 256, preferably 32 channels or 64 channels.

[0034] As an example of dimensions, the electrode branch 1 has a width of 0.1~0.3mm and a length of 10~50mm. The electrode unit 12 can effectively cover the area to be monitored. Furthermore, as a specific structure, the minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode also includes a main cable 2, which is electrically connected to each electrode branch 1 via a connector and wires 3. The main cable 2 is used to connect control peripherals.

[0035] Each electrode branch 1 includes a linear flexible body 11, which includes micro-power lines and signal lines. Electrode units 12 are electrically disposed within the micro-power lines and signal lines. The control peripherals provide power to the electrode units through the micro-power lines, while the signal lines receive and transmit signal data collected by the electrode units, enabling the control peripherals to perform data analysis and large-scale model analysis. The data processing portion is not the focus of this embodiment. The flexible body 11 serves as the substrate, with the micro-power lines and signal lines embedded internally, leaving only the detection surface of the electrode units exposed. This flexible body design enhances strength and prevents bending and breakage. The flexible body 11 exhibits good tissue compatibility and low inflammatory response, allowing for long-term placement in the middle meningeal artery.

[0036] Each electrode branch 1 is implanted under the skull and into the epidural space via the external carotid-middle meningeal artery system. The middle meningeal artery, located lateral to the dura mater, is a vital vessel supplying the dura mater and part of the cerebral cortex. It primarily runs along the surface of the dura mater, typically along the medial side of the skull, close to the bone. The middle meningeal artery usually originates from the external carotid artery, enters the cranial cavity through the skull base, traverses the dura mater, and branches to supply different regions of the brain. The diameter of the middle meningeal artery ranges from 3 to 5 millimeters.

[0037] During operation, electrode branches are implanted under the skull and epidurally via the external carotid-middle meningeal artery system. This places the electrode branches within the middle meningeal artery, and the functional areas of the brain cortex covered by these branches become the effective monitoring areas. The electrode branches are arranged along the course of the middle meningeal artery, with different branches located at different positions, thus enabling comprehensive monitoring of the desired area. For example... Figure 5 The example shown has 10 electrode branches distributed outside the dura mater, which can monitor signals in brain tissue regions within the dura mater.

[0038] Therefore, it is evident that this brain-computer interface electrode is a flexible linear design that can be implanted into the middle meningeal artery without craniotomy, representing a minimally invasive approach to brain-computer interfaces. Its data monitoring accuracy is close to that of invasive brain-computer interfaces, while avoiding the high levels of mixed signals found in non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, resulting in high patient acceptance. Furthermore, there are no concerns about adverse factors such as long-term implantation leading to inflammatory reactions, immune stimulation, biocompatibility, or brain tissue damage. It also avoids the thrombotic risks associated with venous stent brain-computer interfaces, demonstrating significant application value.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A subcranial epidural minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode, characterized in that, The microinvasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode includes multiple electrode branches (1), each electrode branch (1) includes a linear flexible body (11), the flexible body (11) includes a fixed micro power line and a signal line, and multiple electrode units (12) are arranged at intervals on the micro power line and the signal line, and the electrode units (12) are electrically connected to the micro power line and the signal line.

2. The subcranial epidural minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode units (12) are evenly spaced on the flexible body (11), and the number is 2. N N is a natural number, and each electrode branch (1) forms 2 N Sampling channel.

3. The subcranial epidural minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The value of N is 4 to 8, and the corresponding sampling channel value range is 16 to 256.

4. The subcranial epidural minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The width of the electrode branch (1) is 0.1~0.3mm and the length is 10~50mm.

5. The subcranial epidural minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The microinvasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode also includes a main cable, which is electrically connected to each electrode branch (1) through a connector.

6. The subcranial epidural minimally invasive flexible brain-computer interface electrode as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The electrode branch (1) is released and implanted under the skull and outside the dura mater through the external carotid artery-middle meningeal artery system to effectively monitor the functional areas of the cortical brain tissue below. Different electrode branches (1) are located in different positions to comprehensively monitor the areas that need to be monitored.

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