Laser Piotomy for Brain Electrode Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for implanting electrodes into the brain face difficulties due to the pia mater, which creates a barrier for needle and electrode insertion, leading to dimpling and inefficiencies in the insertion process.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a laser piotomy to create a hole in the pia mater, using a pulsed or continuous wave laser to ablate the tissue and expose the cerebral cortex, facilitating easier insertion of implantable devices without dimpling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a needle is inserted through the pia mater using conventional methods, then the electrode can be implanted into the brain, but the pia mater creates a barrier that causes dimpling and increases insertion difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of needle insertionVSAvoiddimpling and tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The laser creates a pilot hole through the pia mater before needle insertion, preparing the path in advance to eliminate the barrier effect and prevent dimpling during subsequent electrode implantation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical needle penetration through the pia mater with a laser-based ablation process, substituting mechanical force with optical energy to create a clean insertion path without tissue deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional needle insertion methods are used through the pia mater, then electrode implantation can be performed, but the process requires excessive force and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion speedVSAvoidinsertion force

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

By pre-creating a laser hole through the pia mater, the method eliminates the need for forceful needle penetration, allowing rapid and effortless electrode insertion through the pre-prepared path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The laser ablation process replaces mechanical needle penetration, converting a force-intensive mechanical operation into a controlled optical ablation followed by simple needle passage through the created aperture

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 laser piotomy method allows for efficient and precise insertion of needles and electrodes into brain tissue by reducing the force required for insertion and eliminating dimpling, making the process faster and more reliable.

Implementation Method 1

performing a piotomy using a laser to create a hole and expose the cerebral cortex

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

the laser vaporizes water in the pia mater to ablate the tissue and create a hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11446084B2Laser drilling of pia mater

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 NEURALINK CORP

AI summary

The disclosure provides an apparatus and methods for performing a piotomy on a mammal comprising: performing a craniotomy to remove the skull and expose dura mater; removing the dura mater and arachnoid mater to expose subarachnoid space; and performing a piotomy using a laser to create a hole and expose the cerebral cortex.