Cerebral Vein Mapping Device for Noninvasive Brain Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing and treating nervous system disorders, such as epilepsy, often require invasive surgeries that result in prolonged recovery times and increased morbidity risks, with limited resolution from noninvasive techniques like EEG and invasive methods like ECoG.
Innovation Solution
Development of a mapping device capable of passing through cerebral veins to provide high-resolution electrophysiological mapping and simultaneous or sequential ablation energy delivery to targeted brain tissue without invasive surgery, using electrodes and a balloon structure for expanded access and cooling systems for precise energy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive surgical methods (ECoG electrodes, deep brain stimulation) are used to map and treat the brain, then measurement precision and treatment effectiveness are improved, but device complexity and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cerebrospinal fluid as an intermediary medium to deliver electrodes and ablation devices to the brain. Instead of directly penetrating brain tissue through craniotomy, the system uses the CSF pathway as a conduit, thereby reducing surgical complexity while maintaining the ability to perform precise electrophysiological mapping and treatment of targeted brain regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive approach (craniotomy, direct tissue penetration) with a fluid-based delivery system. By using cerebrospinal fluid flow to transport electrodes and ablation devices, the system eliminates the need for complex mechanical surgical openings while achieving comparable or superior access to deep brain structures
2Reliability
If invasive surgical methods are used to treat nervous system disorders, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but loss of time (recovery period) increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using cerebrospinal fluid as an intermediary delivery pathway, the system avoids direct brain tissue trauma and craniotomy. This fluid-based approach allows electrodes and ablation devices to reach target areas through natural CSF flow channels, eliminating the need for large surgical openings and associated recovery periods while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical surgical system (craniotomy, tissue removal, hardware implantation) with a non-mechanical fluid delivery system. Cerebrospinal fluid serves as the transport medium for therapeutic agents and devices, avoiding mechanical trauma to the brain and skull, thereby dramatically reducing recovery time while preserving treatment efficacy
3Ease of operation
If noninvasive methods (EEG sensors on scalp) are used to map the brain, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cerebrospinal fluid as an intermediary to bridge the gap between noninvasive accessibility and invasive precision. The fluid pathway allows electrodes to be positioned within the brain's CSF spaces (accessible without craniotomy) while recording signals with the spatial resolution typically only achievable through more invasive ECoG methods, thus combining ease of access with high measurement precision
4Reliability
If traditional surgical treatment is used, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but object-affected harmful factors (morbidity risk) increase
Solution Approach 1:
By routing electrodes and ablation devices through the cerebrospinal fluid pathway rather than through direct brain penetration, the system introduces a protective intermediary layer. This approach avoids direct mechanical trauma to brain tissue, reduces the risk of infection and hemorrhage associated with craniotomy, and eliminates the need for large surgical openings, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while significantly reducing morbidity risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanically invasive surgical system with a fluid-based delivery system that avoids direct tissue penetration. By using cerebrospinal fluid as the transport medium, the system eliminates mechanical trauma to the brain and skull, reducing surgical morbidity while preserving the ability to deliver effective treatments to deep brain targets
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 noninvasive, high-resolution brain mapping and treatment of nervous system disorders with reduced recovery time and morbidity risk, allowing for early detection of impending vascular or electrical events like strokes or seizures.
Implementation Method 1
capable of passing through cerebral veins and other cerebrovascular spaces to provide electrophysiological mapping of the brain
Implementation Method 2
provide electrophysiological mapping of the brain
Implementation Method 3
ablation energy (e.g., RF energy, ultrasound energy, microwave energy, or the like)
Implementation Method 4
ablation energy (e.g., RF energy, ultrasound energy, microwave energy, or the like)
Implementation Method 5
ablation energy (e.g., RF energy, ultrasound energy, microwave energy, or the like)
Implementation Method 6
a balloon structure for expanded access and cooling systems for precise energy application
Implementation Method 7
cooling systems for precise energy application
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of a mapping device may be capable of passing through cerebral veins and other cerebrovascular spaces to provide electrophysiological mapping of the brain. These embodiments of the device may also be capable of providing, simultaneously or separately, ablation energy or other treatments to targeted brain tissue. In such circumstances, a user may be enabled to analyze an electrophysiological map of a patient's brain and, at the same time or within a short time period before or after the mapping process, may be enabled to apply ablation energy for treatment of a central nervous system disorder. Such treatment may be accomplished without the use of invasive surgery in which the brain is accessed through an opening in the patient's cranium.