Electrode assembly and device for implantable brain-computer interface

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electrode assembly of an implantable brain-computer interface. The electrode assembly comprises a flexible electrode and a switching device, the detection part of the flexible electrode is in contact with the biological cerebral cortex, an electric signal of the biological brain is obtained through the detection part, and then the electric signal is transmitted to the switching device through the transmission part of the electrode and the first interface; and then the data is transmitted to the external equipment through the second interface of the switching device. In other words, the flexible electrode and the detection part, the transmission path and the first interface included in the flexible electrode are more suitable for being in contact with the biological cerebral cortex and obtaining the electric signals under the condition that brain tissue is not damaged, and the switching device and the second interface included in the switching device are more suitable for transmitting the electric signals and ensuring the signal quality. Through mutual cooperation of the first interface of the flexible electrode and the second interface of the switching device, it is guaranteed that the biological brain tissue is not damaged, electric signals are obtained under the condition that rejection reaction is avoided, and transmission can be carried out under the conditions of high efficiency and signal quality guaranteeing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of brain-computer interface, and in particular to an electrode assembly and a device for an implantable brain-computer interface. Background Art

[0002] With the development of neuroscience technology, neural electrodes have gradually become an important tool for diagnosing neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and sensory defects. Traditional neural electrodes are usually made of materials such as silicon, which has high mechanical rigidity and is convenient for data signal transmission, but makes it unsuitable for soft brain tissue, resulting in chronic rejection during long-term electrode implantation. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, an embodiment of the utility model provides an electrode assembly and device for an implantable brain-computer interface, the main purpose of which is to avoid chronic rejection reactions while ensuring the mechanical strength of the electrode.

[0004] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model mainly provides the following technical solutions:

[0005] On the one hand, an embodiment of the utility model provides an electrode assembly for an implantable brain-computer interface, comprising: a flexible electrode, a switching device; the flexible electrode comprises at least: a detection part, a transmission part; the detection part contacts the biological cerebral cortex for acquiring brain electrical signals; the transmission part comprises at least: a transmission path and a first interface; the first end of the transmission path is connected to the detection part, the second end of the transmission path is connected to the first end of the first interface, and the brain electrical signal is transmitted to the switching device through the second end of the first interface; the brain electrical signal is transmitted to an external device through the second interface of the switching device; wherein the width of the transmission path is smaller than the width of the first interface.

[0006] Optionally, the flexible electrode comprises at least: a flexible bottom layer, a metal layer, and a flexible top layer; wherein the flexible bottom layer, the metal layer, and the flexible top layer are stacked in sequence.

[0007] Optionally, the metal layer includes at least: an adhesion layer, a first conductive layer, a protective layer, and a second conductive layer; wherein the first conductive layer, the protective layer, the second conductive layer, and the adhesion layer are stacked in sequence, and the adhesion layer is arranged at the bottom of the detection part.

[0008] Optionally, the flexible bottom layer and the flexible top layer are provided with a plurality of through holes, so that cerebrospinal fluid can pass through the plurality of through holes.

[0009] Optionally, the plurality of through holes include at least a first through hole and a second through hole, and the first through hole and the second through hole have different diameters.

[0010] Optionally, the number of channels of the flexible electrode is not less than 128.

[0011] Optionally, the adapter is an FPC adapter; the FPC adapter includes multiple groups of circuit boards; each group of circuit boards includes at least: an upper insulating layer, a circuit board metal layer, and a lower insulating layer.

[0012] Optionally, the transmission path width is not greater than 10 mm; and the first interface width is not less than 20 mm.

[0013] Optionally, the width and length of the transmission path are set based on different animal types; the animal types include at least: rodents and mammals.

[0014] On the other hand, an embodiment of the utility model also provides a device for an implantable brain-computer interface, comprising: the electrodes described above, the adapter being connected to the external device; the external device comprising a signal conversion component and a data analysis component; the signal conversion component being used for data conversion between digital signals and analog signals; the data analysis component being used for analyzing and processing the brain electrical signals to obtain brain data.

[0015] An electrode assembly for an implantable brain-computer interface proposed in an embodiment of the utility model includes: a flexible electrode and an adapter; the detection part of the flexible electrode is brought into contact with the biological cerebral cortex, the electrical signal of the biological brain is acquired through the detection part, and then the electrical signal is transmitted to the adapter through the transmission part of the electrode and the first interface; and then the electrical signal is transmitted to an external device through the second interface of the adapter; that is, the flexible electrode and the detection part, transmission path, and first interface included therein are more suitable for contacting with the biological cerebral cortex and acquiring electrical signals without damaging brain tissue, and the adapter and the second interface included therein are more suitable for transmitting electrical signals and ensuring signal quality, so the first interface of the flexible electrode and the second interface of the adapter cooperate with each other to ensure that the electrical signal is acquired without damaging the biological brain tissue and avoiding rejection reactions, and can be transmitted with high efficiency and with guaranteed signal quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an electrode assembly provided in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram from another angle of an electrode assembly provided in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram from another angle of an electrode assembly provided in an embodiment of the utility model.

[0019] Figure 4A schematic diagram of a metal layer of an electrode assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of the reference numerals: 10, flexible electrode; 11, detection unit; 12, transmission unit; 121, transmission path; 122, first interface; 20, switching device; 21, switching path; 22, second interface; 111, through hole; 101, flexible bottom layer; 102, metal layer; 103, flexible top layer; 201, upper insulating layer; 202, circuit board metal layer; 203, lower insulating layer; 1021, adhesive layer; 1022, first conductive layer; 1023, protective layer; 1024, second conductive layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to further explain the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined purpose of the utility model, the specific implementation, structure, features and effects of the electrode assembly and device for implantable brain-computer interface proposed by the present invention are described in detail below in combination with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. In the following description, different "one embodiment" or "embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, specific features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments may be combined in any suitable form.

[0022] like Figure 1As shown, an electrode assembly for an implantable brain-computer interface proposed in an embodiment of the utility model includes: a flexible electrode 10 and a switching device 20, wherein the flexible electrode 10 is thinner and softer than a traditional electrode, and is more suitable for fitting with a biological cerebral cortex, thereby obtaining biological brain electrical signals; the flexible electrode 10 also includes: a detection unit 11 and a transmission unit 12, and the transmission unit 12 also includes: a transmission path 121 and a first interface 122, that is, the detection unit 11, the transmission unit 12, and the transmission path 121 and the first interface 122 included in the transmission unit 12 are all made of one or more flexible materials, structures, and designs suitable for biological cerebral cortex. When the flexible electrode 10 obtains the biological brain electrical signal and transmits it to an external device, due to the poor transmission performance of the flexible material electrode path, the adapter 20 is used, and the adapter 20 includes a switching path 21 and a second interface 22. The switching path 21 is used to receive and transmit brain electrical signals, and the second interface 22 is to convert it into an interface that is more suitable for transmission performance, to ensure high transmission efficiency and stability. At the same time, in order to ensure that the biological brain tissue is not damaged, the width of the transmission path 121 is smaller than the width of the first interface 122, so as to avoid the transmission path 121 being too wide and touching the skull or the nerves or brain tissue in the brain, thereby causing damage. The first interface 122 is also required to output the biological brain electrical signal, so the width of the first interface 122 must be greater than the width of the transmission path 121 to ensure the basic transmission speed and stability of the flexible electrode. Among them, the transmission path 121 is a one-shaped rectangle, and the first interface 122 is a one-shaped rectangle. The width defined here is the distance between the upper edge line and the lower edge line of the rectangle.

[0023] Specifically, the flexible electrode 10 of the implantable brain-computer interface in this solution can be an ECoG electrode (traditionally called a semi-implanted neural electrode), a probe electrode (traditionally called a fully implanted neural electrode), or some other implantable electrode. The organisms in this solution can be: humans, pigs, monkeys, mice or other organisms. The flexible electrode 10 can be made of materials such as polyimide (PI), Parylene, hydrogel, resin, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (PU), silicone rubber, etc. The adapter 20 can be: FPC (flexible circuit board), FFC cable (flexible flat cable), RF connector, PCB circuit board, etc.; among them, although the flexible electrode 10 and the FPC flexible circuit board may both contain materials such as polyimide, the thickness, length, width, content, design, etc. are different. The flexible electrode 10 is more suitable for fitting the biological brain to select parameters, materials, structures, etc., and the FPC flexible circuit board is more suitable for transmission to select parameters, materials, and structures.

[0024] Further, if Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the flexible electrode 10 includes: a flexible bottom layer 101, a metal layer 102, and a flexible top layer 103, and the flexible bottom layer 101, the metal layer 102, and the flexible top layer 103 are stacked in sequence. The flexible bottom layer 101 and the flexible top layer 103 are bonded to seal the metal layer 102 on the one hand, so that the metal layer 102 is not soaked by cerebrospinal fluid, and on the other hand, they are bonded to the biological cerebral cortex by utilizing the flexible characteristics.

[0025] Specifically, the flexible bottom layer 101 and the flexible top layer 103 may be one or more of polyimide (PI), parylene, hydrogel, resin, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane (PU), silicone rubber, etc. The metal layer 102 may be one or more of gold (Au), chromium (Cr), platinum (Pt), etc.

[0026] Further, if Figure 2 , Figure 4 As shown, the metal layer 102 at least includes: an adhesive layer 1021, a first conductive layer 1022, a protective layer 1023, and a second conductive layer 1024; and the adhesive layer 1021, the first conductive layer 1022, the protective layer 1023, and the second conductive layer 1024 are stacked in sequence, and the adhesive layer is arranged at the bottom of the detection part. In other words, the adhesive layer 1021 is used for bonding, and is arranged between the first conductive layer 1022 and the flexible bottom layer 101, so that the first conductive layer 1022 and the flexible bottom layer 101 are bonded; the first conductive layer 1022 and the second conductive layer 1024 are used to obtain and transmit electrical signals from the biological cerebral cortex. If any of the conductive layers is damaged, the other conductive layer still works, so that there is an extra layer of protection; the protective layer 1023 is used to protect the first conductive layer 1022, so that the first conductive layer 1022 is better protected.

[0027] Furthermore, the surfaces of the flexible bottom layer 101 and the flexible top layer 103 are provided with a plurality of through holes 111, and the diameters of the plurality of through holes 111 may be completely consistent, or some of the through holes 111 may be different, or all of the through holes 111 may be different. The purpose of setting the diameters to be completely consistent is to make the content of cerebrospinal fluid passing through more consistent and more accurate detection, and the purpose of setting some of the through holes 111 to be different is to make full use of the position of the surface of the flexible layer, and according to the actual area of ​​the surface, the diameters of some through holes 111 are consistent and some of the through holes 111 are inconsistent, so that the surface of the flexible layer can be filled as much as possible, so that the cerebrospinal fluid can fully pass through the flexible layer, and the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid can be avoided to cause inflammation of the cerebral cortex. On the other hand, the surface of the flexible layer is filled as much as possible, so that the flexible electrode 10 is easier to bend, and can be attached to a special position of the biological cerebral cortex, so that the electrical signals of the biological cerebral cortex can be obtained more accurately.

[0028] Specifically, the diameter of the through hole 111 can be between 10 microns and 1000 microns, for example: when the surface space of the flexible layer is sufficient, the through hole 111 is 100-1000 microns, and the through hole 111 in the area where the surface space is insufficient is 10-99 microns; it can also be that the through hole 111 in the area where the surface space of the flexible layer is sufficient is 500-800 microns, and the through hole 111 in the area where the surface space is insufficient is 50-80 microns; it can also be that the through hole 111 in the area where the surface space of the flexible layer is sufficient is 300-500 microns, and the through hole 111 in the area where the surface space is insufficient is 20-80 microns.

[0029] Furthermore, the number of channels of the flexible electrode 10 is not less than 128, and can be one or more of 128 channels, 256 channels, 512 channels, 1024 channels, 2048 channels, 4096 channels, and the like. In other words, when the number of channels is too large, sufficient transmission demand is required before a conversion interface is required. When it is less than 128 channels, the interface of the flexible electrode 10 itself, that is, the first interface 122 is sufficient to support transmission; but when it is greater than or equal to 128 channels, the second interface 22 is more suitable for transmission than the first interface 122. The second interface 22 can be a flexible circuit board (FPC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an aluminum substrate, a circuit board, a high-frequency board, and the like. The flexible circuit board (FPC) here is more suitable for transmission than the flexible electrode 10, and the flexible electrode 10 is more suitable for fitting the biological brain scalp. Although both are flexible, the thickness, material ratio and structure are different. That is to say, the flexible electrode 10 and the first interface 122 included therein are softer and more suitable for fitting with the biological cerebral cortex, avoiding damage to the biological cerebral cortex, skull, and brain tissue; while the adapter 20 and the second interface 22 included therein are more suitable for electrical signal transmission, and enhance transmission efficiency and stability compared to the first interface 122. At the same time, each set of circuit boards at least includes: an upper insulating layer 201, a circuit board metal layer 202, and a lower insulating layer 203, that is, the number of layers of the adapter 20 corresponds to that of the flexible electrode 10, and both are three-layer structures.

[0030] Furthermore, the width of the transmission path 121 is smaller than the width of the first interface 122, and the width of the transmission path 121 is not greater than 10 mm; the width of the first interface 122 is not less than 20 mm, that is, the transmission path 121 can minimize contact with the skull, brain tissue and other materials within a range of less than 10 mm, thereby avoiding damage to the cerebral cortex and inflammation; and the width of the first interface 122 is not less than 20 mm, because the electrode 10 transmits the electrical signal of the cerebral cortex to the adapter 20 efficiently and stably, and therefore requires a wider interface path.

[0031] Specifically, the width of the transmission path 121 is 5 mm, and the width of the first interface 122 is 30 mm; the width of the transmission path 121 can also be 8 mm, and the width of the first interface 122 can be 25 mm; the width of the transmission path 121 can also be 3-4 mm, and the width of the first interface 122 can be 26-28 mm.

[0032] Furthermore, the width and length of the transmission path 121 are set based on different animal types; animal types include at least rodents and mammals. In other words, different animal types have different brain and skull sizes, so the width of the transmission path 121 is set according to the animal type to better avoid damage to the biological brain during the process of transmitting electrical signals from the biological brain to the outside of the brain.

[0033] Specifically, if it is a mammal, such as a monkey, pig or other animal, the length and width of the transmission path 121 are set to be slightly larger, which can be 30 mm in length and 8 mm in width, or 50 mm in length and 10 mm in width; if it is a rodent, such as a mouse, hamster, squirrel or other animal, the length and width of the transmission path 121 are set to be slightly smaller, which can be 3 mm in length and 2 mm in width, or 5 mm in length and 1 mm in width.

[0034] An embodiment of the utility model proposes an electrode device for an implantable brain-computer interface, comprising: an electrode 10, an adapter 20, the adapter 20 is connected to an external device; the external device comprises a signal conversion component and a data analysis component; the signal conversion component is used for data conversion between digital signals and analog signals; the data analysis component is used for analyzing and processing brain electrical signals to obtain brain data.

[0035] The above is only a specific implementation of the utility model, but the protection scope of the utility model is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the utility model, which should be included in the protection scope of the utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of the utility model should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly for an implantable brain-computer interface, characterized in that: include: Flexible electrodes and switching devices; The flexible electrode at least includes: a detection part and a transmission part; The detection part is in contact with the biological cerebral cortex and is used to obtain brain electrical signals; The transmission unit at least includes: a transmission path and a first interface; The first end of the transmission path is connected to the detection unit, the second end of the transmission path is connected to the first end of the first interface, and the brain electrical signal is transmitted to the switching device through the second end of the first interface; Transmitting the brain electrical signal to an external device via the second interface of the adapter; Wherein, the transmission path width is smaller than the first interface width.

2. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible electrode at least comprises: a flexible bottom layer, a metal layer, and a flexible top layer; Wherein, the flexible bottom layer, the metal layer and the flexible top layer are stacked in sequence.

3. The electrode assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The metal layer at least includes: an adhesion layer, a first conductive layer, a protective layer, and a second conductive layer; The first conductive layer, the protective layer, the second conductive layer, and the adhesive layer are stacked in sequence, and the adhesive layer is arranged at the bottom of the detection part.

4. The electrode assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The flexible bottom layer and the flexible top layer are provided with a plurality of through holes, so that cerebrospinal fluid can pass through the plurality of through holes.

5. The electrode assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plurality of through holes include at least a first through hole and a second through hole, wherein the first through hole and the second through hole have different diameters.

6. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of channels of the flexible electrode is no less than 128.

7. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The switching device is an FPC switching device; The FPC switching device includes multiple groups of circuit boards; Each group of circuit boards at least includes: an upper insulating layer, a circuit board metal layer, and a lower insulating layer.

8. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission path width is not greater than 10 mm; the first interface width is not less than 20 mm.

9. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width and length of the transmission path are set based on different animal types; The animal types include at least: rodents and mammals.

10. An electrode device for an implantable brain-computer interface, characterized in that: include: The electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adapter is connected to the external device; The external device includes a signal conversion component and a data analysis component; The signal conversion component is used for data conversion between digital signals and analog signals; The data analysis component is used to analyze and process the brain electrical signals to obtain brain data.

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