Flexible Neural Probe Robotic Implantation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for implanting probe devices into neurological tissue face limitations such as limited depth penetration, longevity, targeting ability, and bandwidth due to the stiffness of existing probes, which leads to chronic micro-motion and scarring, and are prone to immune and foreign-body responses.
Innovation Solution
A system for robotically implanting micron-scale probe devices with flexible electrodes, using a needle to position and implant probes at desired targets, and a robotic arm with computer vision techniques to guide the needle, allowing for precise placement and minimizing tissue damage, along with a storage package structure to house integrated circuit chips for data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional rigid probes are used for implantation, then structural strength is maintained, but depth penetration and longevity are limited due to stiffness causing chronic micro-motion and scarring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the probe from rigid to flexible by using flexible electrodes and a flexible shaft. This allows the probe to conform to tissue contours and reduce chronic micro-motion, thereby improving longevity while maintaining sufficient structural strength for implantation through the flexible shaft design.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe employs composite construction with flexible electrodes and a flexible shaft made from biocompatible materials. This composite structure provides both the necessary mechanical strength for implantation and the flexibility to minimize tissue damage and chronic micro-motion, resolving the contradiction between strength and longevity.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional rigid electrodes are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but recording precision and targeting ability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the electrodes from rigid to flexible configurations, allowing them to conform to the contours of neurological structures. This improves recording precision by ensuring better contact with target sites while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of flexible materials and modular electrode array design.
3Device complexity
If conventional probe arrays are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but integration quality with nervous system structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible electrodes and a flexible shaft that can conform to the contours of nervous system structures. This flexible design enables reliable integration with brain tissue and neurological structures, improving reliability while maintaining device simplicity through the modular probe array configuration.
4Measurement precision
If robotic implantation system is implemented, then targeting precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a robotic arm as an intermediary system that provides precise targeting and control during implantation. The robotic arm integrates with the flexible probe to enable accurate positioning while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control mechanisms, thereby improving targeting precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for implanting devices into biological tissue (e.g., brain tissue). The system may include a biocompatible probe, an integrated circuit (IC) chip tethered to the probe, a cartridge comprising a temporary attachment surface by which the probe is removably coupled to the cartridge, a needle to reversibly engage with the probe, a robotic arm to hold the needle, and a microprocessor controller. The microprocessor controller may control the robotic arm and the needle to remove the probe from the temporary attachment surface using the needle, pierce the biological tissue with the needle and the probe, withdraw the needle while leaving the probe within the biological tissue, and detach the IC chip from the cartridge, leaving the IC chip with the biological tissue.