Integrated Access Port for Cortical Stimulation Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive brain surgery techniques face challenges such as trauma to brain tissue, reliance on anatomical knowledge, and limitations in navigation and stimulation methods, including the occurrence of epileptic responses and lack of customized navigation devices during cortical mapping and tumor resection procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus for intraoperative tissue stimulation using an access port with integrated electrical terminals and electrocorticography sensors, allowing for real-time cortical mapping and stimulation during port-based surgical procedures, which includes a hollow cylindrical body for tool reception, a distal end for tissue insertion, and a proximal end for surface placement, enabling precise electrical stimulation and neural activity detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional cortical mapping methods using separate stimulation electrodes and navigation devices are used, then functional areas can be identified, but the procedure complexity increases and tissue trauma risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate devices (access port, stimulation electrodes, and navigation devices) into a single integrated access port system. The access port includes integrated stimulation terminals and navigation markers, eliminating the need for separate devices while maintaining functional area identification accuracy through real-time cortical mapping during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The access port is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a surgical access conduit and an integrated cortical mapping system. It simultaneously provides mechanical access to the brain, electrical stimulation capability through integrated terminals, and navigation functionality through embedded markers, reducing the number of separate devices needed.
2Measurement precision
If traditional cortical mapping with multiple separate devices is used, then stimulation can be applied to map functional areas, but the risk of tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the access port, stimulation electrodes, and navigation devices into a single integrated system, the patent reduces the number of separate insertions and manipulations required. This consolidation minimizes mechanical trauma to brain tissue while maintaining the ability to accurately map functional areas through real-time stimulation and navigation guidance.
3Ease of operation
If separate navigation devices are used during cortical mapping, then navigation capability is provided, but the procedure time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates navigation markers directly into the access port structure, eliminating the need for separate navigation device placement. This integration allows navigation capability to be provided simultaneously with the surgical access and cortical mapping procedures, reducing overall surgical time and procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation markers are pre-integrated into the access port during manufacturing, so that navigation capability is already prepared and available when the port is inserted. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for additional navigation device setup steps during the surgical procedure.
4Measurement precision
If voltage is increased to ensure functional area identification, then mapping accuracy is maintained, but the risk of epileptic responses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated access port system provides real-time feedback through the combination of stimulation responses and navigation guidance. This allows for optimized stimulation parameters that can reliably identify functional areas while monitoring for signs of epileptic responses, adjusting the stimulation approach to maintain accuracy while minimizing harmful effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces tissue trauma by enabling precise identification and avoidance of critical brain areas, improves navigation by integrating stimulation and detection functions, and enhances surgical efficiency by reducing the need for additional devices and minimizing epileptic responses.
Implementation Method 1
one or more electrical terminals attached to the access port for tissue stimulation... applying an electrical potential to the tissue using one or more electrical terminals attached to the access port
Implementation Method 2
one or more electrocorticography sensors attached to the access port... enabling precise electrical stimulation and neural activity detection
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method is provided for intraoperative tissue stimulation during port-based surgery. The apparatus includes an access port and electrical terminals attached to the access port for tissue stimulation. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus may include an access port, with or without electrical terminals attached to the access port for tissue stimulation, and electrocorticography sensors attached to the access port. The method includes inserting an access port into a tissue, applying an electrical potential to the tissue using electrical terminals attached to the access port, and measuring consequent neural activity using electrocorticography sensors attached to the access port.