Implantable IC Platform With Flexible Sensor Array for Brain Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for localizing electrical lesions in the brain, such as MRI, CT, EEG, MEG, ECoG, and depth electrodes, have limitations in spatial and temporal resolution, invasiveness, and tissue disruption, making precise localization and therapeutic intervention challenging for conditions like epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases.
Innovation Solution
A universal implantable integrated circuit medical device platform with a flexible substrate and sensor array, featuring a framework support member made of conductive shape memory or superelastic material, allowing for multi-axial compliance and integration of active and passive sensors, which can be used for electrophysiological interfacing and stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If depth electrodes are used to record electrical activity with high spatial and temporal precision, then measurement precision is improved, but tissue disruption and invasiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the brain interface into multiple independent contact regions along a catheter shaft, allowing distributed recording and stimulation without requiring a single deep penetrating electrode. This reduces tissue disruption while maintaining spatial precision through multiple measurement points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible catheter as an intermediary delivery mechanism that navigates to target brain regions through existing anatomical pathways (ventricular system), avoiding direct cortical penetration. This mediator enables precise electrode placement without the harmful tissue disruption of traditional depth electrode insertion.
2Measurement precision
If ECoG electrodes are placed directly on cortical surface to improve spatial resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and surgical invasiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates a copied interface by placing electrodes on the ventricular surface that indirectly maps cortical electrical activity, rather than requiring direct cortical contact. This copying approach achieves sufficient spatial resolution for clinical applications while dramatically simplifying the surgical procedure to a minimally invasive ventricular access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional cortical surface mapping to a three-dimensional ventricular space approach. By positioning electrodes in the ventricular system, the device accesses brain electrical activity from a different spatial dimension, achieving comparable measurement precision with reduced surgical complexity.
3Ease of operation
If imaging techniques like MRI and CT are used to detect functional lesions, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of electrical activity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the advantages of noninvasive imaging (ease of operation) with electrophysiological recording (temporal precision) by using the ventricular catheter as both a delivery mechanism and a stable platform for chronic electrical activity recording. This combination enables long-term high-temporal-resolution monitoring without the operational complexity of repeated invasive procedures.
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
Enables precise localization and therapeutic intervention by providing high spatial and temporal resolution for electrical activity in the brain, minimizing tissue disruption, and supporting various medical applications like epilepsy management and neurostimulation.
Implementation Method 1
The framework support member is preferably fabricated of an electrically conductive shape memory or superelastic material
Implementation Method 2
The framework support member is preferably fabricated of an electrically conductive shape memory or superelastic material
Implementation Method 3
A dielectric material is filled into the slots to electrically isolate the circuit traces from the remainder of the structural member in which the slot opening is present
Implementation Method 4
depositing a layer of an electrically conductive material, which may be a plastically deformable, shape memory or superelastic material, onto a substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a universal implantable integrated circuit medical device platform having integral and monolithic circuit traces. The platform allows for implanting into a mammalian body single and multi-functional interface devices for sensing, monitoring stimulating and/or modulating physiological conditions within the body. Microelectronic circuitry may be integrated onto the platform or may be joined as modular components to the platform.