Barbed Pin EEG Head Stage for Non-Surgical Mouse Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recording EEG in freely moving animals, particularly mice, involve invasive surgical procedures that are time-consuming, stressful for the animals, and costly, posing risks of post-surgical complications and interfering with experimental results.
Innovation Solution
A non-surgical method using a head stage with barbed pin electrodes that penetrate the skull upon pressure application, allowing for the fixation of EEG electrodes without surgery, combined with a miniature telemetry device or data logger, which can be wirelessly charged and placed under the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical procedures are used for implanting EEG electrodes in mice, then reliable EEG recording is achieved, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and stressful for the animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrode implantation process from traditional surgical procedures by using a non-surgical method where electrodes are attached to the skull surface using dental cement without requiring craniotomy or deep brain penetration, thereby reducing procedure time and animal stress while maintaining recording reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable, pre-assembled electrode assemblies that can be quickly attached and removed, eliminating the need for complex surgical implantation and allowing rapid replacement between subjects, thus significantly reducing the time and skill required for each implantation
2Reliability
If surgical procedures are used for implanting EEG electrodes in mice, then EEG recording quality is maintained, but animal stress and post-surgical complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful elements of traditional surgery (craniotomy, deep anesthesia, extended recovery) by extracting the essential function of electrode attachment and achieving it through a minimally invasive surface mounting method that eliminates most surgical risks
Solution Approach 2:
By using disposable electrode assemblies that require minimal attachment procedures, the patent eliminates the need for complex surgical recovery processes, thereby reducing animal stress and post-procedural complications while maintaining adequate recording quality
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional surgical implantation methods are used, then EEG electrodes can be securely fixed, but the cost and complexity of the procedure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrode fixation function from complex surgical procedures by using simple dental cement attachment to the skull surface, eliminating the need for stereotaxic surgery, bone drilling, or deep tissue anchoring while maintaining stable electrode positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The use of pre-assembled, disposable electrode assemblies with integrated mounting features simplifies the fixation process to a single attachment step using dental cement, dramatically reducing procedural complexity and required equipment while ensuring stable electrode contact
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
Enables high-throughput, minimally invasive EEG recordings in freely moving animals, reducing stress and costs, while maintaining the quality of biopotential signals and facilitating long-term data collection.
Implementation Method 1
A head stage connected to thin barbed pin electrodes that can be fixed to the skull by simply applying pressure on the stage after putting it on the mouse head
Implementation Method 2
the set of pin electrodes penetrate the skull, such that the stage becomes firmly fixed to the skull
Implementation Method 3
combined with a miniature telemetry device or data logger, which can be wirelessly charged and placed under the skin
Data Source
AI summary
A head stage designed for non-surgical placement of EEG electrodes in small animals is disclosed. The head stage is connected to thin barbed pin electrodes of multiple lengths, such that they can be placed into the brain at the chosen depth. A miniature device comprising a wireless transmitter or data logger can be attached using magnets or connectors to the stage. When the head stage is placed on the head of a small animal and pressure is applied on the stage, the set of pin electrodes penetrate the skull, such that the stage becomes firmly fixed to the skull. Further, the device includes electrodes on its body that eliminate the need of wires for EEG recordings. When the capsule including sharp electrodes is pressed toward the skull, the electrodes penetrate the bone and fixes the capsule onto the skull for recording biopotential signals from the brain.