Catheter-Delivered Electrode Arrays for High-Bandwidth Brain Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional neural interfaces face challenges in achieving high spatial and temporal resolution while minimizing collateral damage to brain tissue, and they are either non-invasive with poor signal quality or invasive with high risks and limitations.

Innovation Solution

Minimally invasive methods for deploying electrode arrays through the subdural space, ventricle, or blood vessels, using imaging and electrophysiologic guidance for precise placement, enabling high-bandwidth neural interfaces with reduced tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional depth electrodes are used to achieve high spatial and temporal resolution, then recording quality is improved, but the procedure is highly invasive and may result in damage or destruction of normal brain tissue including neurons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidcollateral damage to brain tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode array is divided into multiple independent recording channels (e.g., 256 channels) distributed across the cortical surface, allowing high spatial resolution through segmented measurement points while maintaining safety through distributed, shallow placement rather than deep penetrating electrodes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary delivery mechanism (catheter or cannula) that enables minimally invasive placement of the electrode array through the subdural space, ventricle, or blood vessel, avoiding direct penetration of brain tissue while still achieving close proximity to the cortical surface for high-resolution recording

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If DBS electrodes are implanted through minimally invasive surgical techniques, then safety is improved, but only a limited number of electrodes may be placed safely and there is limited ability to adjust the spatial placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety profileVSAvoidspatial placement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode array is designed to be expandable from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded recording configuration, allowing dynamic adjustment of the number and spatial distribution of active electrodes after safe placement, thereby achieving both safety and spatial flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery catheter serves multiple functions: it provides a minimally invasive delivery pathway, acts as a protective sheath during insertion, and enables post-placement adjustment of electrode configuration, combining safety with adaptability in a single device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If non-invasive imaging techniques such as MRI and CT are used to examine brain tissue, then safety is improved, but these techniques are unable to detect all functional lesions and lack temporal resolution

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidtemporal resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines minimally invasive electrophysiologic recording (which provides temporal resolution) with image-guided placement (which provides spatial precision and safety), merging the advantages of both invasive and non-invasive approaches while avoiding their respective disadvantages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If ECoG electrodes are placed directly onto the cortical surface to achieve improved spatial resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but a craniotomy is required which is highly invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidsurgical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary delivery pathway (catheter through subdural space, ventricle, or blood vessel) to reach the cortical surface without requiring direct surgical exposure through craniotomy, thereby achieving high spatial resolution with reduced surgical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional cortical surface approach (requiring craniotomy) to a three-dimensional minimally invasive approach through fluid-filled spaces, enabling electrode placement without direct bone removal while maintaining cortical surface contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12508084B2Systems and methods for high-bandwidth minimally invasive brain-computer interfaces

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 PRECISION NEUROSCIENCE CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for high-bandwidth, minimally invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are disclosed. The BCIs are configured for deployment and operation in conjunction with a comprehensive interventional electrophysiology procedural suite. Three primary methods of minimally invasive electrode array delivery are disclosed: (1) cortical surface delivery, (2) ventricular delivery, and (3) endovascular delivery. Additionally, systems and methods for interacting with such high-bandwidth electrode arrays are discussed, including real-time imaging, signal processing, and neural decoding. Systems and methods for architectures for accelerating the underlying computational processes (such as graphics processing units or tensor processing units) are also discussed. Multiple applications of BCIs are discussed, with emphasis on restoration, rehabilitation, and augmentation of neurologic function.