Dissolvable Microfilament Guide for Precise Soft Tissue Electrode Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable electrodes for the nervous system face challenges such as tissue reactions, difficulty in precise placement, and tissue injury due to their rigidity and the need for structural support during insertion, which affects their functionality over time.
Innovation Solution
A microfilament guiding structure with channels that increase in distance distally, allowing flexible microelectrodes to be inserted without additional support, ensuring precise placement and reducing tissue injury by dissolving once implanted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid support structure is used during insertion, then structural support is provided, but tissue injury and tissue reactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and removed. The microelectrode array is segmented from the support structure, allowing the electrodes to be inserted through channels in the support structure and then released, eliminating the need for continuous rigid support during insertion while reducing tissue injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is positioned and secured in place before the microelectrodes are inserted through its channels. This preliminary positioning provides the necessary structural support during insertion, and after insertion the support structure can be removed or dissolved, eliminating the harmful rigid support while maintaining the benefits during the critical insertion phase.
2Adaptability or versatility
If microelectrodes are made highly flexible, then tissue compliance is improved, but precise placement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as an intermediary that provides temporary rigid support to the flexible microelectrodes during insertion. The channels in the support structure guide the flexible electrodes to precise locations, and the support structure's rigidity compensates for the electrodes' flexibility, enabling precise placement while maintaining tissue compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure provides localized rigid support at specific locations where the microelectrodes need to be precisely positioned. The channels are strategically positioned to guide the electrodes to target locations, providing precision where needed while allowing the rest of the electrode to remain flexible for tissue compliance.
3Ease of manufacture
If channels are uniformly spaced, then manufacturing is simplified, but spatial resolution for recordings is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The channels in the support structure are arranged with varying spacing to optimize spatial resolution for recordings. The asymmetric channel arrangement allows for better coverage and resolution in the target area while maintaining manufacturability through controlled variation in channel spacing patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel spacing is optimized in the spatial dimension to improve spatial resolution. By varying the spacing in different directions and planes, the system achieves high spatial resolution for recordings while maintaining a manufacturable structure through systematic arrangement patterns.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If dissolvable material is used for support structure, then tissue reactions are reduced, but structural support duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolvable support structure is positioned and provides structural support for the microelectrodes during the critical insertion phase and initial healing period. The material is selected to dissolve at an appropriate time after the electrodes are in place, reducing tissue reactions while providing sufficient support duration for successful implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolution rate of the support structure material is carefully controlled and adjusted to match the healing timeline. By changing the material parameters (composition, molecular weight, cross-linking) the support structure provides adequate mechanical support during insertion and early healing, then gradually dissolves to minimize tissue reactions while maintaining sufficient support duration.
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 simultaneous, precise placement of microelectrodes with reduced tissue reactions and improved spatial resolution for recordings and stimulations, minimizing long-term tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
The microfilament guiding structure of the proto microfilament assembly comprises materials which disintegrates and/or dissolves when subjected to mammalian tissue fluids.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~3B
Figure 4~6A
AI summary
The present invention relates to an implantable microfilament guiding structure comprising spatially arranged channels intended for the accommodation and movement of microfilaments such as electrically conductive microelectrodes. The microfilament guiding structure comprises materials which disintegrates and/or dissolves when subjected to mammalian tissue fluids. The channels of the microfilament guiding structure are spatially arranged such that the distances between at least some of said channels gradually increase in distal direction. The microfilament guiding structure comprising microfilaments forms part of a proto electrode also referred to as prior microfilament assembly. The invention also encompasses methods for manufacturing the microfilament guiding structure and proto microelectrode assemblies and further a method for implantation of microfilaments in soft tissue.