A neural electrode system and method of neural electrical signal recording

Abstract

The application provides a neural electrode system and a neural electrical signal recording method, and belongs to the technical field of neural electrical physiological recording. The neural electrode system comprises: at least two independently positionable recording units; a guide member detachably matched with the recording units, used for providing mechanical support during implantation and being removable after implantation; and a signal collection module used for collecting signals of the recording units and uniformly outputting through a common output interface. The method comprises the following steps: implanting the recording units and the guide member into a target position in cooperation; separating and removing the guide member; and connecting the remaining recording units to the signal collection module for signal collection. Through separation and modularization of recording, guiding and collection functions, flexible multi-site arrangement, accurate minimally invasive implantation and convenient signal management are realized, and the application is suitable for synchronous recording of neural electrical activities in multiple brain regions and multiple depths in neural science research.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of neurophysiological recording technology, and more specifically, to a neural electrode system and a method for recording neural electrical signals. Background Technology

[0002] Neural signal recording is a core technology in neuroscience research, brain function analysis, and brain-computer interface development. By implanting microelectrodes into biological tissues, key electrophysiological information such as single neuron firing and local field potentials can be collected, providing fundamental data for revealing the working mechanisms of neural circuits.

[0003] As research progresses, signal recording from a single brain region is no longer sufficient to meet the demands of analyzing complex brain functional networks. Increasingly, studies require simultaneous recording of multiple spatially separated brain regions, or parallel sampling of different depths and functional layers within the same brain region, to analyze functional coupling and information flow between brain regions. Therefore, developing flexible and efficient multi-site, multi-channel neural signal recording techniques is crucial.

[0004] Existing neural signal recording electrodes, such as integrated multichannel electrode arrays, have their recording sites positioned fixed during manufacturing, which greatly limits their flexibility during implantation. When multiple target brain regions to be recorded are spatially irregularly distributed, or when personalized placement is required based on the individual anatomical structure of the experimental animal, such electrodes struggle to achieve precise and non-invasive localization.

[0005] To implant flexible or narrow-diameter electrodes with low mechanical strength, existing technologies typically employ rigid assistive devices. However, these approaches have limitations. In some cases, the connection between the assistive device and the electrode is singular, or the assistive structure cannot be completely removed after implantation, resulting in a large volume of implanted material within the brain tissue over time, increasing the risk of space-occupying effects and chronic tissue damage. Furthermore, when multiple independent electrodes need to be implanted simultaneously, signal line management becomes a challenge. Cumbersome wiring, difficult channel identification, and chaotic wiring not only increase the complexity and time of the surgery but also create inconvenience for subsequent signal recording and data analysis.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of neural electrode system that can balance the flexibility of multi-site recording, the precision and convenience of the implantation process, the low damage of long-term implantation, and the ease of multi-channel signal management. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a neural electrode system and a method for recording neural electrical signals, aiming to solve the problems of poor implantation flexibility, difficulty in balancing implantation accuracy and operational convenience, and complex signal management in the prior art when neural electrodes are used for simultaneous recording at multiple sites.

[0008] This invention provides a neural electrode system comprising: at least two independently positionable recording units, each recording unit having a proximal interface; at least one guiding member, which is a separate structure independent of the recording units, the guiding member providing mechanical support to the recording units during placement in a target location, and configured to detach from the recording units and remove them from the usage environment after placement in the target location; and a signal gathering module having multiple input ports and at least one common output interface, each input port being electrically connected to the proximal interface of one of the recording units to gather electrical signals from at least two recording units, and the common output interface being used to output the gathered electrical signals. This modular design with separate "recording-guiding-gathering" provides the system with extremely high implantation flexibility and convenient signal management capabilities.

[0009] Optionally, the recording unit is a flexible electrode or a narrow-diameter electrode, and the guiding member is a rigid or semi-rigid structure. This combination of rigidity and flexibility allows the flexible or narrow-diameter recording unit to obtain sufficient rigid support for precise puncture and positioning during implantation, while after implantation, only the flexible recording unit remains in the tissue, thereby minimizing the mechanical damage and immune response to the tissue caused by long-term implantation.

[0010] The guide member and the recording unit are detachably coupled through one or more of the following structures: sleeve, clamp, snap, magnetic attraction, or releasable adhesive. This variety of detachable coupling methods ensures that the guide member can be cleanly removed after completing its guiding function without affecting the precisely positioned recording unit.

[0011] Optionally, each recording unit includes: at least one recording contact, a conductive unit electrically connected to the recording contact, an insulating protective structure covering the conductive unit, and the near-end interface. This structure ensures that the recording unit can acquire electrical signals from a specific target location and effectively transmit them to the near-end interface, while the insulating protective structure effectively avoids signal crosstalk and short circuits.

[0012] Optionally, the at least one recording contact can be multiple recording contacts, and these multiple recording contacts are spaced apart along the length and / or lateral direction of the recording unit. This configuration allows a single recording unit to simultaneously sample neural activity at different depths or in different microregions of the same brain region, thereby obtaining richer spatial information.

[0013] Optionally, the input port of the signal aggregation module and the proximal interface of the recording unit are electrically connected via a plug-in, elastic contact, crimp, pin, or magnetic structure. These reliable and convenient connection methods simplify post-operative connection operations and ensure the stability of signal transmission.

[0014] Optionally, the signal aggregation module also includes a channel identification structure, which identifies the correspondence between the input port and the recording unit. This structure allows researchers to clearly identify which brain region's recording unit each output channel corresponds to, greatly simplifying the management of multi-channel signals and subsequent data analysis.

[0015] The channel identification structure includes one or more of the following: color coding, numerical coding, graphic identification, text identification, or electronic identification. For example, each input port and its corresponding recording unit can be assigned the same color or number to achieve intuitive and error-free matching.

[0016] Optionally, the common output interface is a standardized multi-channel connector interface; and / or, the signal aggregation module also includes a ground terminal and / or a reference electrode interface. This allows the system to be easily compatible with mainstream preamplifiers and data acquisition systems on the market, while meeting the requirements for grounding and reference potential for high-quality neural electrical signal recording.

[0017] Optionally, the guiding member is a cannula structure, and the recording unit is located within the internal channel of the cannula structure during positioning to the target location. This provides a protective channel for implantation, effectively preventing the recording unit from bending or shifting during puncture.

[0018] Optionally, the guiding member is a reinforcing rod or a reinforcing pin structure, and the recording unit is temporarily attached to the side wall of the reinforcing rod or the reinforcing pin during the process of positioning to the target position.

[0019] Another objective of this invention is to provide a method for recording neural electrical signals using the aforementioned neural electrode system, comprising the following steps: engaging at least two recording units with corresponding guiding members to form an assembly; positioning each assembly at a predetermined target location within biological tissue; after each recording unit reaches the target location, separating the corresponding guiding member from the recording unit and removing the guiding member; and connecting each recording unit remaining within the biological tissue to a signal collection module, so that the signal collection module collects and outputs the electrical signals acquired by the recording units. This method has a clear flow and balances the flexibility, precision, and minimal invasiveness of implantation.

[0020] The neural electrode system and neural electrical signal recording method provided by this invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1) Since the recording units are independently locatable, users can freely implant multiple recording units into multiple brain regions that are arbitrarily distributed in space or at different depths in the same brain region, according to experimental needs, which greatly improves the flexibility and adaptability of experimental design.

[0022] 2) By employing a guide component independent of the recording unit, necessary mechanical support is provided for flexible or narrow-diameter recording units during implantation, ensuring implantation accuracy. Removal of the guide component after implantation minimizes the total volume and stiffness of the implant remaining in the tissue, thereby significantly reducing tissue damage and chronic inflammatory responses caused by long-term implantation.

[0023] 3) The signal aggregation module centrally manages signal lines from multiple independent recording units and outputs them uniformly through a common interface, solving the problems of messy multi-electrode wiring and cumbersome connections. The existence of the channel identification structure makes channel tracing clear and concise, improving experimental efficiency.

[0024] 4) Each component of this system functions independently and can be easily modularly combined and expanded according to experimental needs. Researchers can easily increase or decrease the number of recording units to adapt to experimental scenarios of varying complexity, demonstrating good economy and scalability.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the working principle of a neural electrode system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single recording unit in the neural electrode system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the signal collection module in the neural electrode system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] In the diagram: 1-Recording unit, 11-Recording contact, 12-Conductive unit, 13-Insulation protection structure, 14-Near-end interface, 2-Signal aggregation module, 3-External signal processing equipment, 21-Input port, 22-Common output interface, 23-Channel identification structure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0032] This invention provides a neural electrode system whose core idea lies in deconstructing the traditional monolithic electrode into multiple independently operable recording units, a detachable auxiliary guiding component, and a signal aggregation module for signal integration. This modular design aims to solve the problems of poor implantation flexibility, significant damage to biological tissue, and complex signal management inherent in existing multi-site neural signal recording technologies. Specifically, multiple independent recording units can be precisely and independently implanted into multiple different target regions of the brain, whether spatially separated or at different depths within the same brain region, according to experimental needs. During implantation, the guiding component provides temporary mechanical support for these recording units (especially flexible or narrow-diameter recording units with insufficient rigidity), ensuring accuracy and success rate. After implantation, the guiding component is removed, leaving only the tiny recording units, thereby minimizing long-term occupancy effects and chronic damage to brain tissue. Finally, all implanted recording units are connected to a unified signal aggregation module through their respective proximal interfaces. This module aggregates signals from all channels and outputs them through a standardized common output interface, greatly simplifying wiring and signal management. In this way, the present invention achieves a novel neuroelectrode system that balances implantation flexibility, low tissue damage, and convenient signal management.

[0033] The technical solution of the present invention will now be described in detail. (Refer to...) Figure 1This invention provides a neural electrode system, which structurally comprises at least two independently positionable recording units 1, at least one guiding component that can be detachably coupled with the recording units 1, and a signal aggregation module 2. This three-component collaborative working mode constitutes the basic technical framework of this invention. The recording unit 1 is the functional core for directly acquiring neural electrical signals; the guiding component is an auxiliary tool for achieving precise, low-damage implantation; and the signal aggregation module 2 is the hub for the orderly management of multi-channel signals. In use, multiple recording units 1 can be independently implanted into different target locations, such as different brain regions of experimental animals or different depths within the same brain region. This independence gives the system extremely high spatial layout flexibility. After implantation, the signals from these recording units 1 are aggregated through the signal aggregation module 2 and uniformly output to an external signal processing device 3, thereby achieving synchronous acquisition and analysis of neural signals from multiple sites. This design allows researchers to freely customize electrode implantation schemes according to complex experimental needs to study the functional coupling between different brain regions or the overall activity patterns of neural networks.

[0034] Reference Figure 2 The structure of the recording unit 1 is described in detail below. In one embodiment of the invention, each recording unit 1 is a complete and independent signal acquisition channel or channel group. Its specific structure includes at least one recording contact 11 for direct contact with a neuron, a conductive unit 12 electrically connected to the recording contact 11, an insulating protective structure 13 covering the conductive unit 12, and a proximal interface 14 located at the proximal end of the recording unit 1. The recording contact 11 is typically located at the distal end of the recording unit 1, i.e., the end implanted deepest into the biological tissue, and its surface is treated to reduce impedance and improve signal acquisition quality. The conductive unit 12 is responsible for transmitting the weak electrical signal acquired by the recording contact 11 without loss; it can be composed of highly conductive metal microfilaments or conductive polymers. The insulating protective structure 13 plays a crucial role, ensuring that the electrical signal is acquired only from the recording contact 11, avoiding signal crosstalk and noise interference along the path of the conductive unit 12, and also providing necessary mechanical protection and biocompatible encapsulation for the fragile conductive unit 12. The near-end interface 14 is the port for electrical connection between the recording unit 1 and the outside world (i.e., the signal aggregation module 2). Through this structured design, each recording unit 1 can independently and stably complete the entire function from signal acquisition to signal output.

[0035] Based on the above scheme, to meet the needs of more refined neural activity detection, the number and arrangement of recording contacts 11 on the recording unit 1 can be further optimized. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one recording contact 11 is a plurality of recording contacts. These plurality of recording contacts can be spaced apart along the length of the recording unit 1, for example, one recording contact is set every 100 micrometers on a slender probe. This linear array layout allows a single recording unit to simultaneously acquire neural signals from different depths of the same brain region, which is very suitable for studying information flow between different layers of the cortex, or the electrophysiological activity of brain regions with hierarchical structures such as the hippocampus. In addition, the plurality of recording contacts 11 can also be spaced apart along the lateral direction of the recording unit 1, for example, forming a 2x2 or 4x4 contact array on a flat flexible substrate. This two-dimensional array layout enables higher spatial resolution sampling of local neuronal cluster activity at a specific level. By designing the recording contacts 11 in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array, the information acquisition capability of a single recording unit 1 is greatly enhanced, making it possible to obtain richer and higher-dimensional neural activity data without increasing the number of implantation wounds.

[0036] To address the challenge of precise implantation of flexible or narrow-diameter recording units 1 due to insufficient rigidity, this invention introduces a guiding component. In one specific embodiment, the recording unit 1 is preferably a flexible electrode or a narrow-diameter electrode, such as a flexible probe made of a polyimide substrate or a metal microfilament with a diameter less than 50 micrometers. This flexible or narrow-diameter design helps reduce mechanical compression and shear forces on surrounding brain tissue after implantation, improving long-term biocompatibility. Correspondingly, the guiding component is designed as a rigid or semi-rigid structure, such as a thin rod or cannula made of stainless steel, tungsten, or a hard polymer, possessing sufficient mechanical strength to penetrate the meninges and brain tissue. By temporarily combining the flexible recording unit 1 with the rigid guiding component, utilizing the rigidity of the guiding component to complete the implantation, and then separating the two after implantation, the precise controllability of the implantation process and low tissue damage after implantation are achieved, cleverly solving the technical challenges of flexible electrode implantation.

[0037] To achieve a temporary, reversible connection between the recording unit 1 and the guide member, various connection designs are possible. In one embodiment, the guide member and recording unit 1 achieve a separable connection through one or more of the following structures: sleeve, clamp, snap, magnetic, or releasable adhesive. For example, when the guide member is a reinforcing rod structure, its sidewalls may have one or more tiny clamping arms or snaps, allowing the flexible recording unit 1 to be gently snapped into or clamped to the side of the reinforcing rod. Another approach is to temporarily bond the two together using a biocompatible, biodegradable, or soluble adhesive (such as polyethylene glycol). Once the assembly reaches the target location, the two can be separated by mechanical manipulation (such as gently rotating or retracting the guide member) or by waiting for the adhesive to dissolve. This separable connection design is key to achieving the core function of "removal of the guide member after implantation," ensuring that the guide member can reliably complete its guidance task and be removed afterward, minimizing long-term impacts on biological tissues.

[0038] The specific structure of the guiding component can be adapted to the application scenario and the shape of the recording unit 1. In one embodiment, the guiding component is a cannula structure. The cannula has a hollow internal channel with an inner diameter slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter of the recording unit 1. During implantation, the guiding cannula is first precisely inserted slightly above the target location. Then, the flexible or narrow-diameter recording unit 1 is inserted through the proximal opening of the cannula and pushed along the internal channel to the target depth, even extending a short distance beyond the distal opening of the cannula. After positioning, the guiding cannula is carefully and slowly withdrawn along its original path, while the recording unit 1 remains in place due to friction with surrounding tissues. This "cannula method" provides a highly reliable protection and guidance method for implanting extremely soft or fragile recording units 1 (such as neuron-sized fiber optic electrodes).

[0039] In another embodiment, the guiding member is a reinforcing rod or reinforcing needle structure. This type of guiding member is typically a solid, highly rigid, thin rod. The recording unit 1 is temporarily attached to the sidewall of this reinforcing rod or needle during implantation. For example, the main body of the recording unit 1 can be fixed to the reinforcing rod using a miniature clamp, exposing only the distal end where the recording contact is located. During implantation, the operator actually manipulates the reinforcing rod, using its rigidity to guide the attached recording unit 1 to the target location. Once the target depth is confirmed by electrophysiological signals or depth readings, the recording unit 1 is separated from the reinforcing rod by releasing the clamp or breaking the temporary connection. Subsequently, the reinforcing rod is removed. This method is intuitive, applicable to various types of recording units 1, and is a common and efficient solution for realizing the inventive concept.

[0040] Once all recording units 1 have been successfully implanted and retained at the target location, the next step is to effectively collect and output the acquired signals. (Refer to...) Figure 3 The signal aggregation module 2 undertakes this crucial task. In one embodiment, the input port 21 of the signal aggregation module 2 and the near-end interface 14 of the recording unit 1 are electrically connected via a plug-in, elastic contact, crimp, pin, or magnetic structure. For example, the near-end interface 14 can be a miniature pin, and the input port 21 is a matching socket, allowing a stable and reliable electrical connection to be established through simple plugging and unplugging. Alternatively, the near-end interface 14 can be a flat pad, while the input port 21 has a built-in elastic pin, such as a pogo pin, for connection via pressing. Choosing a suitable connection method aims to achieve ease of operation, reliable connection, low contact resistance, and repeatable plugging and unplugging. This modular connection method, compared to traditional wire-by-wire soldering, greatly improves the efficiency and convenience of experimental setup.

[0041] As the number of implanted recording units 1 increases, accurately distinguishing and managing each channel becomes a practical problem. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, referring to... Figure 3 The signal aggregation module 2 also includes a channel identification structure 23. This channel identification structure 23 clearly identifies the correspondence between each input port 21 and its connected recording unit 1. This design avoids channel confusion in complex experiments, ensuring the accuracy of data analysis. For example, if one recording unit 1 is implanted in the hippocampus and another in the amygdala, the channel identification structure 23 allows researchers to be certain that the observed channel signal indeed originates from the expected brain region.

[0042] To achieve the aforementioned channel identification function, the channel identification structure 23 can take various specific forms. In one embodiment, the channel identification structure 23 includes one or more of color coding, numerical coding, graphic identification, text identification, or electronic identification. For example, each input port 21 on the signal collection module 2 can be printed with a different color (such as red, green, blue, yellow), while providing researchers with a record table of the color and implantation location. Alternatively, each input port 21 can be directly labeled with numbers (1, 2, 3, ...) or text (such as abbreviations for brain regions like PFC, HPC, and VTA). Furthermore, electronic identification methods can be used, such as integrating a tiny storage chip (such as a 1-Wire EEPROM) in the proximal interface 14 of each recording unit 1 to record its unique ID or channel information. When it is inserted into the signal collection module 2, the module can automatically read and identify the channel. These diverse identification methods significantly improve the manageability and data reliability of multi-channel experiments.

[0043] To ensure compatibility with a wide range of commercially available or self-developed neural signal acquisition devices, the output interface design of the signal aggregation module 2 is crucial. In a preferred embodiment, the common output interface 22 of the signal aggregation module 2 is designed as a standardized multi-channel connector interface, such as commonly used Omnetics, Samtec, or ZIF connectors. This standardized design allows users to plug and play the system into existing preamplifiers or data acquisition systems without the need for cumbersome interface adapters or customizations. Furthermore, to ensure high-quality signal recording, neurophysiological experiments typically require ground (GND) and reference (REF) electrodes. Therefore, the signal aggregation module 2 preferably also features dedicated ground and / or reference electrode interfaces. These interfaces can be used to connect a reference electrode placed in distal non-neural tissue (such as a skull screw) to eliminate common-mode noise and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. By providing standardized output interfaces and comprehensive auxiliary electrode interfaces, this system demonstrates excellent system compatibility and practicality.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the recording unit 1 further integrates a stimulation function module. The stimulation function module includes an electrical stimulation unit and / or a light stimulation unit.

[0045] The electrical stimulation unit includes at least one stimulation contact disposed on the recording unit 1. The stimulation contact is disposed independently or multiplexed with the recording contact 11. The stimulation contact is electrically connected to the proximal interface 14 through an independent conductive line for applying an electrical stimulation signal to biological tissue at the target location.

[0046] The photostimulation unit includes at least one optical fiber or a micro-light-emitting element (such as a micro-LED) disposed inside or on the surface of the recording unit 1. The proximal end of the optical fiber has an optical fiber interface for connecting to an external light source. The micro-light-emitting element is electrically connected to the proximal interface 14 via conductive lines to generate photostimulation at the target location. The light emission direction of the optical fiber or the micro-light-emitting element is directed toward the distal end and / or the side of the recording unit 1 to achieve precise optogenetic stimulation of the target brain region.

[0047] Preferably, the recording unit 1 is further provided with a temperature sensing element and / or a pH sensing element for real-time monitoring of the microenvironmental parameters at the target location and transmitting the monitoring data to an external device through the near-end interface 14.

[0048] Finally, this invention also provides a method for recording neural electrical signals using the aforementioned neural electrode system. This method clearly demonstrates the operational flow of the system in practical applications. The method includes the following steps: First, at least two recording units 1 are respectively coupled with corresponding guiding components to form an assembly. This step is a pre-implantation preparation, ensuring that the flexible recording units 1 receive the necessary rigid support. Next, each assembly is positioned at a predetermined target location within the biological tissue. This step is typically performed with the assistance of a stereotaxic instrument to achieve sub-millimeter precision positioning. Then, after each recording unit 1 reaches the target location, the corresponding guiding component is separated from the recording unit 1 and removed. This is one of the key steps of this invention, enabling low-invasive long-term implantation. Finally, each recording unit 1 remaining within the biological tissue is connected to a signal collection module 2 to collect and output the electrical signals acquired by the recording units 1. Through this series of ordered steps, this method makes complex and flexible multi-site neural recording using the system of this invention a standardized and repeatable operation.

[0049] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this invention, a specific application scenario is described below. Consider a study requiring simultaneous recording of neural activity in two different brain regions (e.g., brain region A and brain region B) of an experimental animal. Researchers can choose a basic neural electrode system comprising: two single-channel recording units 1, which can be simple rigid wire electrodes; a reusable guide member, such as a clamp with a precision clamping structure; and a signal aggregation module 2, which has two input ports 21 and a common output interface 22. During the procedure, the first recording unit 1 is first clamped with the guide member and implanted at predetermined coordinates in brain region A. Since the recording unit 1 itself is rigid, the guide member primarily serves as a manipulator and positioning aid. After implantation, the clamp is released, and the guide member is removed. Then, in the same manner, the second recording unit 1 is implanted in brain region B using the same guide member. After both recording units 1 are implanted, their respective proximal interfaces 14 are connected to the two input ports 21 of the signal aggregation module 2. Finally, the signals are output to the data acquisition system via the common output interface 22, enabling simultaneous recording of neural signals from brain regions A and B. This embodiment demonstrates the basic working principle of the invention: "independent positioning, guided implantation, separate removal, and aggregated output."

[0050] Based on the above embodiments, the present invention can further incorporate more preferred technical features to adapt to more complex needs. For example, in an embodiment for studying information processing at different cortical depths within the same brain region, three flexible, multi-contact recording units 1 can be used. Each recording unit 1 is a flexible electrode with four recording contacts 11 spaced apart along its length to simultaneously record local field potentials at four different depths. To accurately implant these three flexible recording units 1 at different depths within the same brain region (e.g., -0.5 mm, -1.0 mm, and -1.5 mm respectively), each recording unit 1 is coupled with a reinforcing rod-type guiding member. This guiding member is a rigid structure, and the flexible recording unit 1 is temporarily fixed to its sidewall by a releasable snap-fit ​​structure. This combination of the flexible recording unit 1 and the rigid guiding member ensures implantation accuracy and, because the final structure remaining in the brain is flexible, significantly reduces tissue inflammation and glial proliferation caused by long-term implantation. The multi-contact design enables the acquisition of rich hierarchical neural activity information in a single implantation, providing a powerful tool for studying vertical information integration within the brain.

[0051] In another embodiment designed to improve experimental throughput and scalability, the signal aggregation module 2 embodies a highly modular design. This module has eight input ports 21, but initial experiments may only require recording four brain regions. For ease of management, these eight input ports 21 employ a dual-encoding channel identification structure 23 using color and numbers; for example, port 1 is red, port 2 is green, and so on. Researchers can clearly record correspondences such as "red / port 1 -> prefrontal cortex" and "green / port 2 -> hippocampus" in their experimental logbooks, effectively avoiding data confusion. The module's common output interface 22 is a standardized 16-pin Omnetics connector, allowing direct connection to various commercially available data acquisition systems. Additionally, the module provides a reference electrode interface for connecting cranial screws. Later in the experiment, if additional recording sites are needed, researchers do not need to replace the entire system; they only need to prepare new recording units 1 and connect them to the reserved empty input ports on the signal aggregation module 2, for example, connecting the 5th and 6th recording units 1 to ports 5 and 6. This design not only makes system expansion exceptionally convenient, but also significantly reduces the cost of upgrading experimental configurations.

[0052] This invention also provides an implementation method particularly suitable for implanting an extremely fine and flexible recording unit 1. In this embodiment, the guiding member adopts a hollow cannula structure. For example, when it is necessary to implant a flexible carbon fiber electrode (as recording unit 1) with a diameter of only 10 micrometers into a deep brain nucleus, direct implantation is almost impossible. In this case, a stainless steel guiding cannula with an outer diameter of 200 micrometers and an inner diameter of 100 micrometers can be implanted approximately 0.5 millimeters above the target location. Then, the carbon fiber electrode is inserted from the tail end of the cannula and slowly pushed forward until its tip protrudes from the front end of the cannula and reaches the predetermined target depth. Since the entire pushing process is carried out under the protection and guidance of the cannula, the carbon fiber electrode will not bend or deviate. After confirming that the electrode is in place, the guiding cannula is withdrawn very slowly along the original path, while the flexible carbon fiber electrode remains stably in the target position due to the slight adhesion to the surrounding brain tissue. This implementation method using a cannula-type guiding member provides strong technical support for achieving ultra-low-invasive, high-precision implantation in the brain.

[0053] To more comprehensively demonstrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a complete embodiment for simultaneous recording of multiple brain regions in mice is described below, which integrates the aforementioned technical features. This neural electrode system is designed for simultaneous recording of neural activity in four key brain regions of mice: the prefrontal cortex, the CA1 area of ​​the hippocampus, the striatum, and the thalamus. The system includes: four dual-channel flexible recording units 1, each with two recording contacts 11 spaced 200 micrometers apart along its length; four matching reinforcing rod-type guiding components, each temporarily connected to a recording unit 1 via a releasable micro-clip; and a signal aggregation module 2 with eight color-coded input ports 21, connected to the proximal interface 14 of the recording unit 1 via a plug-in method, and providing a standardized Omnetics common output interface 22 and an independent reference electrode interface. The method of use of this complete embodiment is as follows: During the surgical preparation stage, the stereotactic coordinates of the four target brain regions are determined based on a brain atlas. During surgery, the first flexible recording unit 1 is first clipped onto the corresponding reinforcing rod-type guiding component to form an assembly. Guided by a stereotaxic instrument, the assembly is precisely implanted into the target depth of the prefrontal cortex. After confirming the location by monitoring electrophysiological signals, the latch is gently released, and the guiding component is slowly withdrawn, leaving the flexible recording unit 1. This process is repeated sequentially to implant the other three recording units 1 into the hippocampus, striatum, and thalamus, respectively. After all four recording units 1 are implanted, their respective proximal interfaces 14 are inserted into the corresponding input ports 21 of the signal gathering module 2 according to pre-defined color codes. A cranial screw is used as a reference electrode, and its wire is connected to the reference electrode interface of the signal gathering module 2. Finally, the omnetics interface of the signal gathering module 2 is connected to an external data acquisition system via a connecting cable, allowing for synchronous, low-noise neural signal recording of eight channels across these four brain regions. This embodiment fully demonstrates the synergistic effect of various technical features, achieving a fully functional, flexible, and animal-friendly multi-site, multi-channel neural recording solution.

[0054] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A neural electrode system, characterized in that, include: At least two independently locatable recording units, each of which has a near-end interface; At least one guide member, the guide member being a separate structural member independent of the recording unit, the guide member being used to provide mechanical support for the recording unit during the process of placing the recording unit in a target position, and the guide member being configured to be detachable from the recording unit and removed from the usage environment after the recording unit is placed in the target position; as well as A signal aggregation module, the signal aggregation module having: Multiple input ports, each input port being electrically connected to the proximal interface of one of the recording units to collect electrical signals from at least two of the recording units; as well as At least one common output interface is provided for outputting the aggregated electrical signal.

2. The neural electrode system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recording unit is a flexible electrode or a narrow-diameter electrode, and the guiding member is a rigid or semi-rigid structure; The guide member and the recording unit are separable through one or more of the following structures: sleeve, clamp, snap, magnetic attraction, or releasable adhesive.

3. The neural electrode system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the recording units includes: At least one recording contact, a conductive unit electrically connected to the recording contact, an insulating protective structure covering the conductive unit, and the near-end interface.

4. The neural electrode system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The at least one recording contact is a plurality of recording contacts, and the plurality of recording contacts are arranged at intervals along the length direction and / or the lateral direction of the recording unit.

5. The neural electrode system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input port of the signal aggregation module and the near-end interface of the recording unit are electrically connected through a plug-in, elastic contact, crimp, pin, or magnetic structure.

6. The neural electrode system according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that, The signal aggregation module is also provided with a channel identification structure, which is used to identify the correspondence between the input port and the recording unit; The channel identification structure includes one or more of the following: color coding, digital coding, graphic identification, text identification, and electronic identification.

7. The neural electrode system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The common output interface is a standardized multi-channel connector interface; and / or, the signal aggregation module is also provided with a ground terminal and / or a reference electrode interface.

8. The neural electrode system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guiding component is a sleeve structure, and the recording unit is located in the internal channel of the sleeve structure during the process of positioning to the target position.

9. The neural electrode system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guiding member is a reinforcing rod or reinforcing pin structure, and the recording unit is temporarily attached to the side wall of the reinforcing rod or the reinforcing pin during the process of positioning to the target position.

10. A method for recording neural electrical signals using the neural electrode system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: At least two of the recording units are respectively coupled with the corresponding guiding members to form an assembly; Each of the aforementioned assemblies is positioned at a predetermined target location within the biological tissue; After each of the recording units reaches the target position, the corresponding guide member is separated from the recording unit and the guide member is removed. as well as Each recording unit remaining in the biological tissue is connected to the signal collection module so that the electrical signals collected by the recording unit are collected and output through the signal collection module.

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