Embedded Coil Neural Probe for Localized Magnetic Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for stimulating cranial nerves, particularly magnetic stimulation, face challenges in localizing stimulation due to the conductive nature of brain tissue and the difficulty in targeting deep brain regions with sufficient focality, leading to potential damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A neural probe structure with a conducting coil embedded within it, which is inserted into the body to generate a magnetic field for localized stimulation and signal collection, allowing for precise targeting of cranial nerves by adjusting the coil's orientation and placement, and potentially combining with other stimulation methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If magnetic stimulation is applied from outside the skull through a magnetic stimulation device, then cranial nerves can be stimulated without direct insertion into the brain, but localizing the stimulation to a specific target site becomes very difficult and focality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the magnetic stimulation system into two parts: an external magnetic stimulation device and an internal coil embedded in the neural probe. This segmentation allows the system to combine the safety of external application with the precision of internal placement, resolving the contradiction between avoiding brain insertion damage and achieving precise stimulation localization
Solution Approach 2:
The coil is embedded within the neural probe structure, creating a nested configuration where the magnetic field generator is housed inside the probe. This nesting enables the probe to deliver localized magnetic stimulation to deep brain regions without requiring the entire probe structure to be large or complex, thus achieving both safe insertion and precise targeting
2Ease of operation
If electrical stimulation is used to stimulate cranial nerves, then direct stimulation of the target site is achieved, but localization becomes difficult due to the conductive nature of brain tissue and risk of nerve damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces electrical stimulation with magnetic stimulation. Magnetic fields can penetrate brain tissue without being dispersed by its conductive properties, allowing for better localization. This substitution eliminates the risk of electrical current spreading to adjacent nerves, thereby reducing damage risk while maintaining direct stimulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the stimulation parameter from electrical current to magnetic field. This parameter change exploits the different interaction properties of magnetic fields with brain tissue compared to electrical currents, enabling localized stimulation without the dispersion and damage risks associated with electrical conduction in conductive tissue
3Manufacturing precision
If optical stimulation is used to stimulate cranial nerves, then localized stimulation can be achieved, but specific genes must be transfected which creates problems for future clinical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces optical stimulation with magnetic stimulation. This substitution eliminates the need for gene transfection and complex optical waveguides, simplifying the system for clinical application while maintaining the ability to achieve localized stimulation through the embedded coil's magnetic field
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the stimulation modality from optical to magnetic, fundamentally altering the physical mechanism of stimulation. This parameter change removes the requirement for genetic modification and complex optical components, reducing device complexity and improving clinical feasibility while preserving localization capability through magnetic field confinement
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 localized magnetic stimulation with increased focality and reduced tissue damage, allowing for more precise neural stimulation and signal collection, particularly in deep brain regions.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field inductor which is formed in the probe, and when a power source is supplied, the magnetic field inductor generates a magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
A neural probe structure includes a probe which is inserted into a living body, and a magnetic field inductor which is formed in the probe, wherein when a power source is supplied, the magnetic field inductor generates a magnetic field and applies magnetic stimulation to a target site of the living body into which the probe is inserted. A method for manufacturing the neural probe structure includes forming a first pattern on a first substrate and filling the first pattern with a conductor, stacking a second substrate on the first substrate, and forming a second pattern connected to the first pattern on the second substrate and filling the second pattern with a conductor, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate form the probe, and the conductor of the first pattern and the conductor of the second pattern form the magnetic field inductor.