Compliant Neural Prosthesis Micro-wire Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neural prostheses fail to effectively interact with neural tissue due to non-compliant materials, incomplete sampling of nerve cross-sections, and potential nerve injury from sharp penetration, limiting information transfer and durability.

Innovation Solution

A neural prosthesis with micro-wires covered in conformal silicone elastomer sheaths, allowing for distributed microelectrode placement across the nerve's cross-section without penetrating the perineurium, using arrays for both signal recording and stimulation, and a controlled implantation technique to minimize trauma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If penetrating electrodes are used to interface with neural tissue, then electrical contact with nerve fibers is achieved, but nerve injury occurs due to sharp penetration and right-angle entry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact reliabilityVSAvoidnerve injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of penetrating the nerve from the outside, the electrode array is inserted through the epineurium and then withdrawn, allowing electrodes to contact nerve fibers from the opposite direction (from the epineurial space toward the fascicles) without sharp penetration into the endoneurial components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The epineurium serves as an intermediary layer that allows electrode insertion without direct penetration of the perineurium and endoneurial components. The electrode array contacts nerve fibers through the epineurial space, avoiding harmful sharp penetration into the nerve's protective layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If non-compliant brittle materials are used for electrodes, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device durability decreases due to failure under real-world mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode positioning precisionVSAvoiddevice durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible polyimide film serves as the substrate for mounting electrodes, replacing rigid non-compliant materials. This flexible substrate can accommodate nerve movement and deformation without breaking, while still allowing precise electrode positioning and manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines flexible polyimide substrate with conductive electrode materials and biocompatible coatings, creating a composite structure that maintains manufacturing precision while gaining mechanical compliance and durability for long-term implantation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If electrodes sample only partial nerve cross-section, then device complexity is reduced, but information transfer from neural tissue is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode array complexityVSAvoidneural signal information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The nerve interface is segmented into multiple fascicles, and the electrode array is designed to contact multiple fascicles simultaneously. This segmentation approach allows comprehensive sampling of the nerve cross-section while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic electrode distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode array transitions from linear or single-point contact to two-dimensional distribution across the nerve cross-section. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous sampling of multiple fascicles and maximizes information transfer without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Productivity

If blind needle passage or controlled impact is used for electrode insertion, then implantation speed is improved, but nerve trauma increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation speedVSAvoidnerve trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The epineurium is surgically exposed and incised before electrode insertion, creating a predetermined access path. This preliminary action eliminates the need for blind needle passage or controlled impact, allowing gentle electrode insertion while minimizing nerve trauma

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical insertion method is replaced from forceful penetration (needle passage or controlled impact) to gentle placement through surgically created access. This substitution eliminates concussive forces while maintaining implantation efficiency through pre-planned surgical approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10857348B2Compliant devices for neural prosthetic devices

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 THE ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIV OF ARIZONA

AI summary

A device for neural prosthetics is disclosed. The device comprises arrays of micro-wires and a control unit. The control unit connects to and communicates with the micro-wires. The ends of the micro-wires serve as microelectrodes. The microelectrodes are in contact with neural tissue. The micro-wires are covered in sheaths made of conformal material. The ends of the micro-wires protrude beyond the ends of the sheaths. This allows the electrodes to be individually positioned on the neural tissue.