Microneedle Electrode Arrays for Neural Interfacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neural interfacing devices face challenges in minimizing electrical current delivery, increasing signal fidelity, and maintaining stability due to invasive procedures and tissue impedance, leading to inefficiencies in nerve stimulation and recording.

Innovation Solution

A neural interfacing device featuring microneedle electrodes that penetrate the nerve epineurium without invading the axon area, configured in bipolar, tri-polar, or multi-channel arrays, to reduce charge requirements and enhance signal quality while maintaining electrode stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If external interfaces are used to interface with nerves, then the device is less invasive, but the electrical impedance of surrounding tissues increases the charge required for stimulation and obscures recorded signals

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidsignal fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into multiple microneedle electrodes arranged in arrays (bipolar, tri-polar, or multi-channel configurations), allowing selective stimulation and recording from specific nerve fascicles while minimizing interaction with surrounding high-impedance tissues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface transitions from a two-dimensional external surface contact to a three-dimensional penetration into the nerve epineurium, positioning electrodes within the nerve structure to achieve lower impedance pathways to target axons while maintaining minimal invasiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If interfascilar or intraneural interfaces are used to enhance selective stimulation and recording, then signal fidelity improves, but the procedures become significantly more invasive and electrodes are prone to damage from motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal fidelityVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The microneedle electrodes are designed with specific local properties: sharp tips for minimal penetration force, controlled lengths to reach epineurium without deep axon penetration, and arrangements that concentrate the interface function at specific locations within the nerve bundle rather than requiring extensive intraneural implantation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The epineurium serves as a natural cushioning layer that the microneedles penetrate to reach the target fascicles, protecting the electrodes from direct exposure to high-motion environments while still achieving selective neural interfacing. The epineurial penetration creates a stable interface that is protected from external mechanical stresses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Use of energy by moving object

If deeper penetration into the nerve is achieved to reduce tissue impedance, then charge delivery efficiency improves, but the risk of axon damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge delivery efficiencyVSAvoidaxon damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The microneedle electrodes exhibit asymmetric geometry with sharp tips for easy penetration but controlled lengths that stop before reaching vulnerable axons. The needles are designed to penetrate the epineurium (thickness typically 50-200 micrometers) to reach the target fascicles while maintaining a safety margin that prevents axonal contact, achieving low-impedance interfaces without proportional increases in damage risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 microneedle electrodes reduce the current needed for stimulation, improve signal-to-noise ratios, and provide mechanical stability, leading to safer, more effective, and longer-lasting neural interfaces.

Implementation Method 1

microneedle electrodes that penetrate the nerve epineurium without invading the axon area, configured in bipolar, tri-polar, or multi-channel arrays, to reduce charge requirements and enhance signal quality

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11839478B2Neural interfacing device

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 GEORGIA TECH RES CORP

AI summary

A neural interfacing device is disclosed. The neural interfacing device includes a microneedle electrode. The microneedle electrode includes a body having a void formed therein and a plurality of microneedles. The void surrounds the plurality of microneedles, and the plurality of microneedles are bent outward with respect to the body to form a three-dimensional microneedle electrode. Additionally, each of the plurality of microneedles is sized and shaped to penetrate a nerve epineurium.