Multi-Channel Catheter for Brain Optogenetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deep brain stimulation methods using optical fibers face challenges such as biocompatibility issues, infection risks, and precise optical assembly requirements, making them difficult to implant safely and effectively in the brain.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible multi-channel catheter with a light guide and monitoring probe, designed to minimize medical risks and facilitate secure implantation, featuring a flexible and thin design with a light-diffusing element to ensure uniform illumination and prevent tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an optical fiber is implanted in the brain for deep optical stimulation, then optical irradiation of the brain can be achieved, but biocompatibility issues and infection risks arise due to the non-biocompatible nature of optical fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is nested inside a biocompatible catheter that serves as a protective sheath. The catheter completely encloses the optical fiber, allowing the non-biocompatible optical fiber to be implanted through a biocompatible barrier, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving optical irradiation and maintaining biocompatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The biocompatible catheter acts as an intermediary between the non-biocompatible optical fiber and the brain tissue. It provides a sterile and waterproof barrier that protects the brain from the optical fiber while still allowing the optical fiber to deliver light to the target location
2Adaptability or versatility
If the implantation depth of the optical fiber is varied to adapt to different patients, then optimal treatment for each patient can be achieved, but precise optical assembly becomes difficult to make to measure during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable optical assembly (light source and optical fiber) and a disposable catheter of fixed length. The catheter comes pre-manufactured in specific lengths (e.g., 10cm, 15cm, 20cm) to accommodate different implantation depths, eliminating the need to make precise optical assemblies to measure during surgery while still allowing adaptation to different patients
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-length catheter is used for implantation, then manufacturing and sterilization are simplified, but the catheter may not be suitable for all patients requiring different implantation depths
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple catheters of different fixed lengths are offered as a family of products, each suitable for specific implantation scenarios. The reusable optical assembly can be paired with different catheter lengths to accommodate various patient needs, achieving universality through a modular approach that simplifies manufacturing of each individual catheter while providing adaptability across the product line
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 solution allows for safe, localized, and secure optical stimulation of the brain, minimizing trauma and infection risks while ensuring effective illumination and control of light dosage, suitable for neuroprotection and optogenetics applications.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide, extending within a channel of the multi-channel catheter, for optical stimulation of the brain
Implementation Method 2
a diffusing element, arranged at the distal end of the light guide inside the channel, for diffusing the light emitted by the light guide
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The main subject matter of the invention is an implantable device (10) for optically stimulating the brain of a human being or animal, characterised in that it comprises a multi-channel biocompatible catheter (1), comprising a plurality of channels (2a-2i) extending substantially parallel to each other relative to a longitudinal axis (X) of the multi-channel catheter (1), and in that it further comprises a light guide (3), extending into one channel (2b), for optically stimulating the brain, the multi-channel catheter (1) acting as a sheath totally enveloping the light guide (3), and a functional element (5), extending into another channel (2a), in order to measure the light injected into the surrounding medium at the distal end of the light guide (3), and/or an element acting on the shape of said multi-channel catheter (1).