Implantable Electrode Array with Prefabricated Holes for Depth Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable electrode arrays face challenges in simultaneously recording and stimulating neural activity at the cortical surface and deeper regions of the brain, requiring separate planar and elongated electrodes that can be safely and effectively positioned during implantation without causing damage.

Innovation Solution

An implantable electrode array with a flat substrate featuring prefabricated holes for elongated electrodes, allowing these electrodes to be inserted through the substrate, providing a secure and sealed positioning mechanism while enabling simultaneous surface and depth neural recording and stimulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate planar and elongated electrodes are used for simultaneous cortical surface and depth recording/stimulation, then comprehensive neural activity monitoring is enabled, but the risk of damage during insertion and positioning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive neural activity monitoringVSAvoiddamage risk during insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines planar electrodes and elongated depth electrodes into a single integrated array structure. The elongated electrodes are positioned within recesses of the planar electrode array, allowing both surface and depth recording/stimulation capabilities in one device, thereby enabling comprehensive neural activity monitoring while reducing insertion complexity and damage risk compared to separate implantations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated electrodes are pre-positioned within recesses of the planar array during manufacturing, creating a pre-assembled integrated structure. This preliminary positioning ensures proper alignment and secure placement before implantation, reducing the risk of damage during surgical insertion compared to attempting to position separate electrodes simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If elongated electrodes are inserted through the substrate, then secure positioning is achieved, but the substrate structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure positioningVSAvoidsubstrate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is segmented with recesses that accommodate the elongated electrodes. These recesses create distinct structural zones within the substrate, allowing the elongated electrodes to be securely positioned in dedicated cavities while maintaining the overall integrity of the planar array structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elongated electrodes are nested within recesses of the planar substrate. This nesting arrangement allows the depth electrodes to be housed within the structure of the surface electrode array, achieving secure positioning while integrating both electrode types into a compact unified device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS10463265B2Implantable electrode array

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 CORTEC GMBH

AI summary

An implantable electrode array is provided, the electrode array comprising a substrate, the substrate having a front side and a back side, and a first number of first electrodes. The first electrodes are formed as contact pads, and are arranged on the front side. The substrate comprises a second number of prefabricated holes at predetermined positions, the holes extending from the front side through the substrate towards the back side, and being arranged such the holes may be penetrated by elongated electrodes placed at the predetermined positions.