Microelectrode Device Flexible Pin Deployment Friction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current neural recording and neurostimulation devices face challenges in achieving highly localized and efficient interaction with neurological targets due to issues with electrode deployment, such as delamination and friction, which can lead to inaccurate targeting and reduced effectiveness in deep brain structures.

Innovation Solution

The development of a microelectrode device with deployable flexible pins enclosed within an elongated probe shaft, featuring a protective housing and a polymeric protective tube that reduces friction during deployment, allowing for precise and localized neural recording or stimulation by minimizing delamination and improving the angle of pin deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If flexible pins are deployed through windows in the elongated shaft, then localized neural recording or stimulation is achieved, but friction between pins and shaft causes delamination and deployment failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode deployment precisionVSAvoidpin deployment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective tube is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible pins and the elongated shaft. The protective tube reduces friction during pin deployment, preventing delamination while maintaining precise positioning. The tube acts as a mediator that facilitates smooth pin extraction without direct contact between the pin and shaft surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective tube is implemented as a flexible thin-walled structure that covers the windows in the elongated shaft. This flexible shell allows the tube to deform during deployment while maintaining its friction-reducing function, and it can be made from biocompatible materials suitable for neural implant applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If conductive electrodes are surgically inserted into deep brain structures, then neural recording or stimulation is performed, but surgical complexity and risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural interaction capabilityVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible pins with electrodes are nested within the protective tube, which is itself nested within the elongated shaft. This nested configuration allows the entire electrode array to be delivered through a single surgical access point to deep brain structures, simplifying the surgical procedure while maintaining the ability to interact with multiple neural targets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into modular components: the elongated shaft, protective tube, flexible pins, and electrodes. This segmentation allows for standardized delivery through the shaft while enabling customization of the electrode configuration to match specific neural recording or stimulation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If multiple flexible pins are deployed simultaneously, then coverage of neural target is improved, but friction and delamination risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural target coverage areaVSAvoidfriction-induced delamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective tube serves as a mediator that reduces friction for all flexible pins simultaneously during deployment. By providing a low-friction interface between the pins and the shaft, the tube enables multiple pins to be deployed at once without increasing the risk of delamination, thereby allowing broader neural target coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables highly localized and efficient neural recording and stimulation by reducing friction and delamination, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of electrode deployment in deep brain structures, thereby improving diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

a specifically manufactured protective housing can be coupled to at least a portion of the elongated probe shaft. During deployment of the flexible pins, the protective housing of the microelectrode device reduces friction between the flexible pins and the probe shaft and thus reduces the risk of delamination to the flexible pins during deployment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10966620B2Device for interacting with neurological tissue and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2021.04.06 ALEVA NEUROTHERAPEUTICS

AI summary

Described herein are microelectrode devices to provide localized neural recording or neural stimulation to a neurological target. The device includes a plurality of electrodes disposed along the shafts of deployable flexible pins. The deployable flexible pins are enclosed within an elongated probe shaft, and can be expanded from their enclosure. Additionally, a specifically manufactured outer housing can be coupled to at least a portion of the elongated probe shaft. During deployment of the flexible pins the outer housing of the microelectrode device reduces friction between the flexible pins and the probe shaft and reduces delamination of the flexible pins during deployment.