Device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device that allows electroencephalographic and biochemical signals in rodent brains to be read using supports for the electrodes and microdialysis cannulas that move rotationally and along three axes, by means of adjustable manual mechanisms and sections that can be extended using air. The mechanism is operated manually by means of slidable elements and has a blocking mechanism and an extension element that extends using air for the vertical electrode insertion movement. The device is also capable of simultaneously inserting microdialysis cannulas to obtain cerebrospinal fluid to subsequently analyse biochemical signals, while also capturing electroencephalographic signals.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY READING MULTIPLE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC AND BIOCHEMICAL SIGNALS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention shows a device that allows the reading of electroencephalographic and biochemical signals in rodent brains, by means of supports with rotary movement and on three axes for the electrodes and the microdialysis cannulas, by means of adjustable manual mechanisms and sections extendable by air.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Many progressive neurological diseases in humans, such as epilepsy, require preclinical animal models that slowly develop the disease in order to test interventions at different stages of the disease process. These animal models are particularly difficult to implement in immature rodents. Continuous EEG recording in young animal models of seizures and other neurological disorders presents a technical challenge due to the small physical size of young rodents and their prey dependence before weaning. Therefore, there is not only a clear need to improve preclinical research to better identify therapies suitable for translation to the clinic, but also a need for new devices capable of continuously recording EEG in immature rodents.

[0006] Advanced electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis techniques requiring high spatial resolution, including electrical source imaging and network connectivity measurements, are applicable to a wide range of neuroscience questions. Performing these types of analyses in a rodent model requires a higher electrode density. While higher-density rodent EEG setups exist, they are of limited availability to most researchers, are not robust enough for repeated experiments over extended periods, or are restricted to use in anesthetized rodents.

[0007] A prior art search was conducted for devices for the simultaneous multiple reading of electroencephalographic and biochemical signals, in which it was found that a wide variety of devices for the real-time acquisition of electroencephalographic signals have been developed, such as the device of patent CN101766485 (B), which is entitled "WIRELESS MOBILE REAL-TIME ACQUISITION DEVICE FOR SMALL ANIMAL ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH", which describes a device comprising an electrode, an electroencephalography acquisition module, a wireless transmission module by RE, a power module and a PC receiver module, where the electrode includes two dual-conductor channels and a reference electrode; and the wireless transmission module by RE comprises a second synchronous serial interface and a wireless radio frequency transmitter.

[0008] The mobile wireless real-time acquisition device offers the advantages of being small, lightweight, and energy-efficient, enabling convenient and accurate acquisition of electroencephalography (EEG) signals from small animals. It is capable of real-time EEG acquisition in active small animals, is suitable for long-term, uninterrupted EEG monitoring, and boasts low cost and high applicability. Another device, disclosed in patent JP5924539 (B2), is an EEG electrode device whereby EEG electrodes can be easily attached to a small laboratory animal with little or no risk of detachment during testing, and a weak EEG voltage can be stably measured with high sensitivity.The electroencephalographic electrode device comprises a first electrode group consisting of a plurality of needle electrodes and a second electrode group consisting of a plurality of needle electrodes, said needle electrodes of the first electrode group and the second electrode group being fixed to a base. The needle electrodes of the first electrode group and the second electrode group are positioned so as to correspond respectively to the positions of the temporalis muscles located on both sides of the skull of a small laboratory animal in which the needle electrodes are inserted and fixed.

[0009] As can be seen, the aforementioned devices have as their main disadvantage the limited use of electrodes and their installation. Therefore, the need arises for a device that allows the placement of several electrodes simultaneously, with the advantages of having a mechanically assisted placement system on three axes, dynamically positioning the electrodes in the desired area of ​​the brain. Additionally, it should have the capacity to simultaneously introduce microanalysis cannulas to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for subsequent analysis of biochemical signals alongside electroencephalographic signals. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a device that allows the reading of electroencephalographic and biochemical signals in rodent brains, using supports with rotary movement on three axes for the electrodes and microdialysis cannulas, through adjustable manual mechanisms and air-expandable sections. The mechanism is manually operated by sliding elements with a locking mechanism, in addition to an air-expanding element for the vertical movement of electrode insertion.

[0011] Additionally, it has the ability to simultaneously introduce microdialysis cannulas to obtain cerebrospinal fluid for subsequent analysis of biochemical signals along with the taking of electroencephalographic signals.

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] The characteristic details of this novel device for lower limb stretching training are clearly shown in the following description and accompanying figures, as well as an illustration thereof, using the same reference symbols to indicate the parts shown. However, these figures are shown by way of example and should not be considered limiting to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of the device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0015] Figure 2 shows a detailed perspective view of the sides of the base frame of the device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0016] Figure 3 shows a detailed perspective view of the back of the arm base assembly of the device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0017] Figure 4 shows a detailed side perspective view of the reading arm of the device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0018] Figure 5 shows a detailed perspective view of the arm base and reading arm of the device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0019] Figure 6 shows a detailed posterior perspective view of the arm base of the device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0020] Figure 7 shows a detailed top perspective view of the arm base showing the liquid injector of the device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0021] Figure 8 shows a detailed bottom perspective view of the reading arm of the device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0022] Figure 9 shows a detailed top perspective view of the electrode base of the device for simultaneously reading multiple electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0023] Figure 10 shows a detailed bottom perspective view of the microdialysis electrode and cannula of the device for simultaneous multi-reading of electroencephalographic and biochemical signals.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] For a better understanding of the present invention, the parts that make up the device for the simultaneous multiple reading of electroencephalographic and biochemical signals, which is the subject of the present invention, are listed below:

[0026] I. Basic framework

[0027] 2. Circular perforations

[0028] 3. Rectangular cavities

[0029] 4. Circular cavities

[0030] 5. Projections

[0031] 6. Arm base

[0032] 7. Reading arm

[0033] 8. Fixing screws

[0034] 9. Electrode connector

[0035] 10. Cannula connector

[0036] II. Liquid injector

[0037] 12. Clamps

[0038] 13. Courts

[0039] 14. Electrode base

[0040] 15. Cylindrical shaft

[0041] 16. Extendable duct

[0042] 17. Nozzle

[0043] 18. Hose

[0044] 19. Holes

[0045] 20. Rectangular perforation

[0046] 21. Cylindrical cover

[0047] 22. Pivot

[0048] 23. Extendable duct 24. Bolt

[0049] 25. Electrode

[0050] 26. Microdialysis cannula

[0051] 27. Air inlet connector

[0052] With reference to the figures, the device for the simultaneous multiple reading of electroencephalographic and biochemical signals of the present invention, which is composed of a base frame (1) which is a main structure in the form of a rectangular frame with roundings on its upper edges, in each of its corners there are circular perforations (2), which have the function of fixing the base frame (1) by means of screws that pass through the circular perforations (2) to the skull of the rodent from which the readings of electroencephalographic and biochemical signals will be taken simultaneously.On each side of the base frame (1) on its upper faces, rectangular cavities (3) are observed, which along both sides have a plurality of circular cavities (4) on the same upper face of the base frame (1), on the inner side walls of the rectangular cavities (3) there are protrusions (5) on each of the inner side walls, which are preferably triangular.

[0053] An arm base (6) is mounted inside the rectangular cavity (3). This arm base (6) is a "T" shaped piece with a flat rectangular base which has a rectangular projection in the center of its lower face, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. On the sides of the lower section, i.e., on the rectangular projection of the arm base (6), there are cuts (13) with the same size and section shape as the projections (5) located in the rectangular cavities (3) of the base frame (1). The cuts (13) are assembled with the rectangular projections (5) inside the rectangular cavity (3) of the upper face of the base frame (1). This assembly allows linear movement of the arm base (6) along the rectangular cavities (3) on each side of the base frame (1).

[0054] On the upper face of the arm base (6) there is a pair of circular perforations located opposite each other, which coincide with the circular cavities (4) when the arm base is assembled on the rectangular projections (5). The arm base (6) is fixed in a certain position of the plurality of circular cavities (4) by means of fixing brackets (8), which are placed in the circular perforations of the arm base (6) to fix the arm base (6) to the base frame (1).

[0055] With reference to figure 8, in the center of the upper face of the arm base (6) there is a cylindrical pivot (22), mounted on it is located a reading arm (7), which shows a rectangular piece in the shape of an "L" with a longer elongated end and a shorter end in its main part, the longer elongated end is located towards the center of the base frame (1); and the shorter end has on its lower face a hole through which the pivot (22) is inserted joining the reading arm (7) with the arm base (6), this union allows the rotary movement of the reading arm (7).On the side face of the longer section of the reading arm (7) there is a rectangular perforation (20), which in its center has a cylindrical shaft (15), an electrode base (14) is mounted on the cylindrical shaft (15), which is hollow and is made up of a rectangular piece with a circular perforation in its center through which the cylindrical shaft (15) passes allowing it to move along the reading arm (7), and a pair of rectangular "L" shaped projections on both its upper and lower sections; on its sides where one projection covers the width of the longer section of the reading arm (7) on its lower face and the second projection is arranged towards the upper face of the longer section of the reading arm (7) covering only a portion.

[0056] In the electrode base section (14) located above the longer section of the reading arm (7) a circular perforation is visible, through which a bolt (24) is passed as shown in figure 9, said bolt (24) allows fixing a position of the electrode base (14) to the reading arm (7) through a plurality of holes (19) located along the upper face of the longer section of the reading arm (7).

[0057] In Figures 8 to 10, an extendable duct (16) can be observed, which is attached to the underside of the electrode base protrusion (14). The extendable duct (16) can be extended or contracted by introducing air into it. At the end of the extendable duct (16), the cylindrical cover (21) can be seen, which is a hollow cylindrical piece inside which most of an electrode (25) and a microdialysis cannula (26) are located. By extending the extendable duct (16), both the electrode (25) and the microdialysis cannula (26) can be moved downwards, thus allowing them to be inserted into the rodent's brain from which electroencephalographic and biochemical signal readings will be taken simultaneously.

[0058] As can be seen in Figures 8 and 10, an extendable conduit (23) is attached to the rear face of the lower projection of the electrode base (14) and connects to the inner face of the short end of the reading arm (7). This configuration allows air to enter the extendable conduit (16) because the electrode base (14) is hollow. Furthermore, the extendable conduit (23) is configured to house the electrode wiring (25) and the hoses that connect to the microdialysis cannula (26). On the rear face of the reading arm (7), as shown in Figure 6, there are three connectors: an electrode connector (9) for receiving electroencephalographic signals; a microdialysis cannula connector (10) to receive biochemical signals, and an air inlet connector (27) for the extendable duct (16).Located on the upper face of the reading arm (7) above its shorter section, is a liquid injector (11), which has a hollow cylindrical shape. At its top is a hollow cylindrical projection in the form of a nozzle (17) through which liquid is introduced into the liquid injector (11). On the rear face of the liquid injector (11) is a hose (18), which conducts the liquid to the microdialysis cannula (26) through the liquid injector (11). The liquid injector (11) is fixed to the upper part of the arm (7) by means of clamps (12).

[0059] In view of the foregoing, it is reiterated that the scope of the present invention shall not be limited by the specific embodiments described, and it shall be understood that variations may be made in several respects. Such variations shall not be considered a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications may be obvious to a person skilled in the art and shall be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A device for the simultaneous multiple reading of electroencephalographic and biochemical signals, characterized in that it comprises: a base frame (1) as the main structure in the form of a rectangular frame, having circular perforations (2) at each of its corners, and rectangular cavities (3) with projections (5) on each of its inner side walls on each of the sides of the base frame (1); a plurality of circular cavities (4) are placed on the upper face of the base frame (1) along both sides of the rectangular cavities (3);An arm base (6) is mounted inside the rectangular cavity (3). This arm base (6) is a "T" shaped piece with a flat rectangular base having a rectangular projection in the center of its lower face. On the sides of the rectangular projection of the arm base (6) there are cuts (13) located in the rectangular cavities (3) of the base frame (1); a reading arm (7) showing an "L" shaped rectangular piece with an elongated longer end and a shorter end in its main part; on the side face of the longer section of the reading arm (7) there is a rectangular perforation (20), which in its center has a cylindrical shaft (15);An electrode base (14) is mounted on the cylindrical shaft (15), which is hollow and consists of a rectangular piece with a circular perforation in its center through which the cylindrical shaft (15) passes, allowing movement along the reading arm (7); a flexible duct (16) is attached to the lower face of the projection of the electrode base (14), at its end of which is the cylindrical cover (21), which is a hollow cylindrical piece within which is located most of an electrode (25) and a microdialysis cannula (26); and a liquid injector (11) located on the upper face of the reading arm (7) above its shorter section, which has a hollow cylindrical shape; that at its top there is a hollow cylindrical protrusion in the form of a nozzle ( 17 ).

2. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the base frame (1) has roundings on its upper edges.

3. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the circular perforations (2) have the function of fixing the base frame (19) to the rodent skull by means of screws.

4. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the projections (5) are triangular.

5. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the cuts (13) have the same size and cross-sectional shape as the protrusions (5) located in the rectangular cavities (3) of the base frame (1).

6. The multi-reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the cuts (13) are assembled with the rectangular projections (5) inside the rectangular cavity (3) of the upper face of the base frame (1), allowing linear movement of the arm base (6) along the rectangular cavities (3) on each side of the base frame (1).

7. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: on the upper face of the arm base (6) there is a pair of circular perforations located one opposite the other, which coincide with the circular cavities (4) when the arm base is assembled on the rectangular projections.

8. The multiple reading device according to claim 7, further characterized in that: the arm base (6) is fixed in a certain position of the plurality of circular cavities (4) by means of fixing screws (8), which are placed in the circular perforations of the arm base (6) to fix the arm base (6) to the base frame (1).

9. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: in the center of the upper face of the arm base (6) there is a pivot (22) on which the reading arm (7) is mounted by means of a hole located on the lower face of the short end, allowing it to rotate.

10. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the electrode base (14) has a pair of rectangular "L" shaped projections on both its upper and lower sections; on its sides where one projection covers the width of the longer section of the reading arm (7) on its lower face and the second projection is disposed towards the upper face of the longer section of the reading arm (7), covering only a portion.

11. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: in the electrode base section (14) located above the longer section of the reading arm (7) there is a circular perforation, through which a bolt (24) is passed, allowing a position of the electrode base (14) to be fixed to the reading arm (7) through a plurality of holes (19) located along the upper face of the longer section of the reading arm (7).

12. The multi-reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: the extendable duct (16) has the ability to extend or contract by introducing air into it, to perform the downward movement of both the electrode (25) and the micro-dialysis cannula (26), thus allowing them to be inserted into the rodent's brain.

13. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: attached to the rear face of the lower projection of the electrode base (14) is an extendable conduit (23) which is joined to the inner face of the short end of the reading arm (7), thereby allowing air to enter the inside of the extendable conduit (16) and also containing the electrode wiring (25) as well as the hoses that connect to the microdialysis cannula (26).

14. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: on the rear face of the reading arm (7) there are three connectors, an electrode connector (9) for receiving the electroencephalographic signals; a microdialysis cannula connector (10) for receiving the biochemical signals, and an air inlet connector (27) for the extendable duct (16).

15. The multiple reading device according to claim 1, further characterized in that: on the rear face of the liquid injector (11) there is a hose (18) that conducts the liquid to the microdialysis cannula (26) through the liquid injector (11), which is fixed to the top of the arm (7) by means of clamps (12).

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