Transcatheter electrode array and use thereof
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accessing the brain, such as craniotomy and stereotactic neurosurgery, are invasive and pose risks like bleeding, infection, and cosmetic disfigurement, limiting the use of minimally invasive systems for neurological disorders.
Innovation Solution
A transvenous, transdural, or transarterial intracranial electrode array device that is delivered via a flexible catheter, expanding intracranially to directly interface with brain tissue, using shape-memory materials or microactuators for deployment without burr holes or craniotomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If craniotomy or stereotactic neurosurgery is used to access the brain, then direct neural interface can be achieved, but invasiveness increases and risks of bleeding, infection, and cosmetic disfigurement occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the blood vessel wall as an intermediary structure to access the brain. The electrode array is delivered intravascularly through the blood vessel, using the vessel wall as a natural pathway that avoids traditional craniotomy. This intermediary approach allows direct neural interface while minimizing invasiveness by leveraging the existing vascular route.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical craniotomy system (burr holes, scalp incisions) with a catheter-based delivery system. The electrode array is delivered through a flexible catheter that navigates the blood vessel, substituting the traditional mechanical surgical approach with a less invasive endovascular technique.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive catheter-based approaches are used, then invasiveness is reduced and patient comfort is improved, but direct access to brain tissue becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is designed with dynamic deployment capabilities. It transitions from a compressed delivery configuration within the catheter to an expanded operational configuration at the target site. This dynamic transformation allows the device to navigate the blood vessel in a compact form and then expand to achieve direct brain tissue interface, resolving the conflict between minimally invasive delivery and effective access.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode array is nested within the catheter during delivery, similar to a doll within a doll. The array is compressed and housed inside the catheter lumen, allowing it to pass through the blood vessel in a minimally invasive manner. Once at the target site, the array is deployed from the catheter to achieve direct brain tissue access.
3Ease of operation
If traditional surgical methods are used, then direct brain access is achieved, but hospitalization costs and perioperative complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrode array delivery from the traditional surgical context and places it within the endovascular system. By taking out the need for craniotomy and stereotactic surgery and replacing it with intravascular delivery, the procedure eliminates many associated costs and complications while maintaining direct brain access capability.
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
This approach reduces invasiveness, lowers the harm-to-benefit ratio, and enables early intervention for neurological disorders, improving outcomes and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
using shape-memory materials or microactuators for deployment
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed towards devices, methods, and related systems that are minutely-invasively delivered to the brain parenchyma, subdural or subarachnoid space where the devices, methods, and systems directly interface with central nervous system media (i.e., fluid or tissue) enabling detecting, sensing, measuring, stimulating, altering and/or modulating of the media or tissue surfaces.