Flexible Implantable Electrode Array Using Polymer Waveguide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional silicon-based implantable electrode arrays cause significant brain tissue damage during implantation and use, leading to signal deterioration and eventual failure due to their rigid and nonconformal nature.

Innovation Solution

A flexible implantable electrode array is developed using a polymer material with a waveguide and chipsets configured for wireless power and communication, featuring a metallic waveguide liner and exposed electrode sites along the shank, allowing for ultra-high throughput deep-brain neural recording with reduced tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If silicon-based implantable electrode arrays are used, then high-density neural recording capability is achieved, but brain tissue damage increases during implantation and use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural recording capabilityVSAvoidbrain tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid silicon-based electrode arrays with flexible polymer-based arrays that can conform to the curved surfaces of the brain. The flexible shank material allows the array to bend and adapt to brain topology without causing mechanical damage, while maintaining high-density electrode configurations for precise neural recording.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures combining flexible polymer substrates with integrated CMOS circuitry and electrode arrays. This composite approach enables the integration of recording, amplification, and processing functions in a single flexible platform that minimizes tissue disruption while maximizing recording capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If rigid silicon IEAs are used, then signal recording capability is improved, but device lifespan decreases due to brittleness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal recording capabilityVSAvoiddevice lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible polymer-based shank material eliminates the brittleness inherent in silicon, allowing the device to withstand repeated brain movements and physiological stresses without fracture. This flexibility enables long-term implantation while maintaining signal recording quality throughout the device lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements wireless power and data transmission capabilities that exceed traditional wired connections, providing redundant communication pathways and power delivery methods that enhance device reliability and lifespan by eliminating points of mechanical failure at connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If wireless power and communication are implemented, then device flexibility and lifespan are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice lifespanVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional wired mechanical connections with wireless electromagnetic field-based power and data transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for physical connectors while enabling flexible implantation, and the system manages energy consumption through efficient wireless power transfer protocols and low-power CMOS circuitry design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The flexible design minimizes tissue damage and extends the lifespan of neural recordings by enabling wireless communication and power transfer, facilitating prolonged and efficient deep-brain neural data collection without the brittleness and rigidity issues of traditional silicon-based arrays.

Implementation Method 1

a waveguide; and a number of chipsets disposed in the shank along the length of the shank, wherein each chipset is configured to measure neural activity in tissue surrounding the shank near the respective chipset, and to communicate signals representative of the measured neural activity via the waveguide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaveguide: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentUS20230077461A1Wireless implantable electrode array

Publication Date: 2023.03.16 UNIV OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

AI summary

A flexible implantable electrode array is disclosed, comprising: a shank formed from a flexible polymer material. In an example embodiment, the shank comprises: a waveguide; and a number of chipsets disposed in the shank along the length of the shank, wherein each chipset is configured to measure neural activity in tissue surrounding the shank near the respective chipset, and to communicate signals representative of the measured neural activity via the waveguide. A method for powering and receiving neuronal information from a flexible implantable electrode array comprises: wirelessly communicating power and commands from a backplane to a plurality of chipsets disposed along the length of a shank via a waveguide disposed within the shank; monitoring neural activity proximate each chipset and sending a signal representative of said neural activity from the corresponding chipset transceiver to the backplane via the waveguide.