Endovascular Neural Interface With Microfilament Sensing and Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neural interfaces for brain and spinal cord applications are invasive, leading to risks of fibrosis and limited longevity, and lack real-time monitoring and targeted modulation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An endovascular neural interface with a communicating device comprising a proximal and terminal end part, wired connector, and microfilaments that penetrate the vessel wall to sense and stimulate neural tissue, utilizing wireless charging, signal processing, and micro-robotic deployment for minimally invasive, long-term neural interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct implantation of electrodes onto neural tissue is used, then neural interface functionality is achieved, but risks of fibrosis, foreign body reactions, and limited longevity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses blood vessels as an intermediary medium to deliver neural interface devices to target locations in the brain and spinal cord. The device travels through the bloodstream and is deployed at the target site, avoiding direct surgical implantation into neural tissue. This mediator approach (blood vessel transport) reduces mechanical trauma and foreign body reactions while maintaining effective neural interface functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical implantation with a fluid-based delivery system. Instead of physically cutting and inserting electrodes through brain tissue, the device is transported via blood flow and deployed using controlled expansion or microneedle mechanisms. This substitution of mechanical insertion with fluid transport reduces tissue damage and improves device longevity.
2Ease of operation
If traditional surgical implantation is used, then neural tissue access is achieved, but surgical invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the bloodstream as a natural transport pathway to deliver devices to neural targets. This eliminates the need for craniotomies or complex surgical routes through brain tissue. The blood vessel mediator provides a pre-existing, non-invasive pathway that simplifies the surgical procedure while improving device survival by reducing implantation trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by leveraging blood flow to transport the device to the target location. The device is carried by the hydraulic system (circulatory system) rather than being mechanically pushed or pulled through tissue. This hydraulic transport approach minimizes surgical invasiveness and improves long-term device viability.
3Ease of operation
If endovascular approach is used, then minimally invasive access is achieved, but real-time monitoring and targeted modulation capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the endovascular device to perform multiple functions: sensing neural activity, delivering electrical stimulation, and providing real-time feedback. The device incorporates both sensors and actuators, enabling it to monitor and modulate neural tissue bidirectionally. This multi-functional design maintains minimally invasive access while providing comprehensive real-time monitoring and targeted modulation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements closed-loop feedback systems where the device senses neural activity in real-time and automatically adjusts stimulation parameters based on detected neural states. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive neuromodulation that responds to changing neural conditions, providing versatile real-time control while maintaining the minimally invasive endovascular approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A communicating device for placing within a blood vessel includes a proximal end part; a terminal end part; and a wired connector that communicatively connects the proximal end part with the terminal end part. The wired connector has a length sufficient to position the proximal end part beneath a skin surface and the terminal end part at a target location within a blood vessel associated with neural tissue, and the wired connector comprises sensors distributed along its length to sense blood vessel parameters in a region between the proximal end part and the terminal end part. The proximal end part includes a battery connected to a wireless charging terminal and a signal processing circuit connected to a wireless communication terminal. The terminal end part includes a plurality of sensors, electrodes, and microfilaments configured to be deployed through walls of the blood vessel.