Eversion-Deployable ECoG Electrode Structures for Large-Area Cortical Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ECoG grids face challenges with large surface area implantation over the cerebral cortex, leading to significant surgical complications and limited neural activity investigation due to invasive procedures, while stereotactic EEG probes are limited by small area coverage.
Innovation Solution
A deployable ECoG system using soft robotic actuation for minimally invasive implantation through small cavities, employing an eversion mechanism with thin, dura mater-like electrodes and built-in strain sensors for real-time deployment feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional ECoG grids with large surface area are implanted, then neural activity investigation coverage is improved, but surgical complications and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ECoG grid is divided into multiple flexible electrode strips that can be independently deployed through separate burr holes, allowing large surface area coverage without requiring a single large craniotomy. Each strip can be implanted through small openings and conform to the cortical surface, resolving the contradiction between large area coverage and surgical invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar rigid grid implantation to a three-dimensional flexible strip deployment through burr holes. The electrode strips are inserted through small openings in the skull and deployed along the cortical surface, utilizing the third dimension (depth through the skull) to achieve large surface area coverage with minimal surface invasiveness.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional ECoG grids with large surface area are implanted, then neural activity investigation coverage is improved, but craniotomy size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The large ECoG grid is segmented into multiple flexible strips that can be implanted through separate small burr holes. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large total electrode area without requiring a single large craniotomy, as each strip can be introduced through its own small opening in the skull.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible electrode strips are nested within the burr hole openings during implantation, allowing them to be inserted through small cavities and then deployed to cover large surface areas. The strips conform to the cortical surface like nested structures, maximizing coverage while minimizing the initial opening size.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If stereotactic EEG probes are used, then surgical invasiveness is reduced, but neural activity investigation area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible, dynamically deployable electrode strips that can adapt to the cortical surface topology. The strips are inserted through small burr holes (maintaining low invasiveness) but can dynamically extend and conform to large areas of the cortical surface, overcoming the area limitation of rigid stereotactic probes.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode strips are constructed as flexible thin-film structures that can be inserted through small openings and conform to the brain's surface. This flexibility allows the system to achieve large investigation area while maintaining the minimally invasive insertion method through small burr holes, unlike rigid stereotactic probes.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible electrode strips are deployed through burr holes, then surgical invasiveness is reduced, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible electrode strips are designed to self-deploy through the burr holes utilizing their own flexibility and the natural anatomy of the brain. The strips conform to the cortical surface automatically upon insertion, eliminating the need for complex external deployment mechanisms while maintaining minimal invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical deployment systems with a simple flexible strip insertion approach. The electrode strips are inserted through burr holes and rely on their inherent flexibility to conform to the cortical surface, substituting complex mechanical actuation with passive geometric conformity and material flexibility.
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
Facilitates large area cortical coverage with reduced surgical complications and improved neural recording capabilities, enabling prolonged monitoring with minimal invasiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electrode structure deployable by eversion
Implementation Method 2
applying a fluidic pressure inside the reservoir
Implementation Method 3
at least one conductive track disposed on a surface of said elastic polymeric support
Data Source
AI summary
It is disclosed an implantable electrical/electronic biomedical device comprising: a) a reservoir (100) comprising an inlet (101) at a first end and a mechanical support (200) at a second, opposed end, and b) at least one electrode structure (300) deployable by eversion, said electrode structure (300) comprising: i) an elastic polymeric support (301) operatively connected to the reservoir's inlet (101) through a first end (302) and to the mechanical support (200) at a second end (303), and ii) at least one conductive track (400) disposed on a surface(S) of said elastic polymeric support (301).