Epidural Electrode Array for Single-Site Brain Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current brain stimulation technologies are invasive, risking injury to brain tissues and blood vessels, and require multiple entry sites into the cranium, limiting the length and complexity of implanted devices due to the thickness of the skull, which restricts battery life and therapeutic options.
Innovation Solution
The method involves inserting multiple implantable devices, such as electrodes and sensors, through a single entry site at non-orthogonal angles, allowing longer devices to pass through the skull without penetrating the brain, with components like batteries and electronics implanted within the cranium, enabling greater battery capacity and therapeutic flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes are placed through the cerebral cortex to reach deep brain structures, then deep brain stimulation can be achieved, but injury to healthy brain tissues and blood vessels occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stimulation system into two separate components: (1) an epidural electrode array placed on the cortical surface for safe cortical stimulation, and (2) a separate deep brain stimulation system that can be activated when specific cortical patterns are detected. This segmentation allows cortical monitoring without requiring electrodes to penetrate deep brain structures, thereby avoiding injury to healthy tissues and blood vessels while still enabling deep brain stimulation therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) signals as an intermediary to indirectly monitor and control deep brain activity. Instead of placing electrodes directly in deep brain structures, the system detects cortical EEG patterns that reflect deep brain state and uses these signals to trigger appropriate stimulation responses, thereby achieving deep brain modulation without direct intrusion into vulnerable deep structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple entry sites are used to implant devices, then access to intracranial elements is improved, but surgical invasiveness and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single epidural electrode array that serves multiple functions: (1) monitoring cortical EEG signals, (2) providing cortical stimulation, and (3) serving as a reference for deep brain stimulation timing and targeting. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate entry sites and devices, thereby reducing surgical invasiveness and associated risks while maintaining comprehensive access to both cortical and deep brain functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If longer devices are implanted through the skull, then battery capacity and therapeutic flexibility increase, but the thickness of the skull limits device length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the battery and electronics components in the subcutaneous space external to the skull, rather than attempting to fit them within the limited intracranial space. The electrode arrays are positioned epidurally on the cortical surface, allowing long leads to extend from the external battery through the skull to the cortical electrodes without being constrained by skull thickness. This dimensional reorganization enables long-lasting batteries and complex therapeutic protocols while avoiding the space limitations of intracranial implantation.
Data Source
AI summary
An elongated device adapted for insertion, including self-insertion, through the body, especially the skull is disclosed. The device has at least one effector or sensor and is configured to permit implantation of multiple functional components through a single entry site into the skull by directing the components at different angles. The device may be used to provide electrical, magnetic, and other stimulation therapy to a patient's brain. The lengths of the effectors, sensors, and other components may completely traverse skull thickness (at a diagonal angle) to barely protrude through to the brain's cortex. The components may directly contact the brain's cortex, but from there their signals can be directed to targets deeper within the brain. Effector lengths are directly proportional to their battery size and ability to store charge. Therefore, longer angled electrode effectors not limited by skull thickness permit longer-lasting batteries which expand treatment options.