Integrated Brain Electrode for Accurate Nucleus Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and targeting specific sites in the brain during stereotactic surgery are unreliable, as they often rely on spontaneous neural activity or sensory input, making it difficult to accurately determine the target site and ensure effective electric stimulation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a needle-like base with a first electrode for recording electric activity and a second electrode for applying stimulation, where the second electrode is positioned near or identical to the first electrode, allowing for nucleus-specific electric activity to be recorded and used for accurate site identification and stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If needle-like electrodes are used to identify target sites in the brain, then the target site can be located, but the identification is often difficult and not reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the recording electrode and stimulation electrode into a single integrated needle-like component. This merging allows the same electrode to perform both recording of spontaneous neural activity and application of electric stimulation, enabling reliable target site identification through induced electric activity patterns that are specific to particular brain nuclei.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the recording electrode monitors electric activity in real-time during stimulation. By observing the induced electric activity patterns that are specific to particular brain nuclei, the system provides feedback that confirms accurate target site identification, thereby improving both measurement precision and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If separate recording electrode and stimulation electrode are used, then recording can be performed, but installation of stimulation electrode at the same site is not ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the recording electrode and stimulation electrode into a single integrated needle-like component with multiple electrodes arranged along its length. This integration ensures that when the needle is inserted into the target site, both recording and stimulation functions are available at the same location, eliminating the need for separate electrode installations and ensuring accurate target site stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle-like component serves multiple functions: it acts as both a recording electrode for detecting neural activity and a stimulation electrode for applying electric stimulation. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall procedure while ensuring that stimulation is delivered precisely at the recorded target site, improving both ease of operation and stimulation accuracy.
3Device complexity
If spontaneous neural activity or sensory input is used for identification, then the process is simple, but the target site is not reliably identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic electric stimulation through the electrode, which induces characteristic electric activity patterns in the target brain nucleus. This periodic stimulation approach transforms the simple recording process into a more accurate identification method by eliciting nucleus-specific responses that can be reliably detected and used to confirm precise target site localization.
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 accurate identification and stimulation of specific brain sites by recording nucleus-specific electric activity induced by stimulation, improving symptom management and reducing side effects in treatments like Parkinson's disease and dystonia.
Implementation Method 1
a first electrode having a first impedance and to which an electric activity of a nucleus with which the first electrode comes into contact can be input
Implementation Method 2
a second electrode having a second impedance lower than the first impedance and which is able to output an electric stimulation to the nucleus
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an apparatus including: one or more needle-like bases enabled to be inserted into the brain; a first electrode having a first impedance and enabling an input of an electric activity of a nucleus with which the first electrode comes into contact; and a second electrode having a second impedance lower than the first impedance and being able to output an electric stimulation to the nucleus, wherein the first electrode is provided at a tip portion of at least one of the bases, and the second electrode is provided on a part of the at least one of the bases at a position identical to a position of at least one of the first electrode or on a proximal side with respect to the first electrode, in a direction along a long axis of the base on which the first electrode is provided.