Neural Probe Array Microchannel Nerve Regeneration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neural electrodes, such as cuff electrodes, cause chronic pain and nerve necrosis due to compression and lack of oxygen and water permeability, and are limited in signal acquisition as they are surface-based, leading to gliosis formation that hinders long-term neural signal acquisition and stimulation.

Innovation Solution

A neural probe array with a microchannel probe that induces nerve regeneration through nerve growth factor and physically isolates the electrode from gliosis, allowing for deep nerve insertion and chronic implantation while maintaining signal acquisition and stimulation capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cuff electrode is used to wrap around the nerve, then neural signal acquisition and stimulation are enabled, but chronic pain and nerve necrosis occur due to compression and lack of oxygen/water permeability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural signal acquisition capabilityVSAvoidcompression damage and nerve necrosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is divided into multiple independent contacts arranged in an array rather than a single continuous cuff structure. This segmentation allows the electrode to interface with the nerve at multiple discrete points without requiring complete circumferential wrapping, thereby reducing compression on any single region of the nerve while maintaining effective signal acquisition and stimulation capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode array is positioned within a guide structure that is inserted into the nerve epineurium, creating a nested configuration where the electrode contacts are housed within a protective sheath. This nesting approach allows the electrode to be contained within the nerve's outer layer without requiring external wrapping, eliminating compression while enabling direct neural interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Power

If a cuff electrode wraps completely around the nerve, then neural stimulation is achieved, but blood circulation in the epineurium is inhibited causing chronic pain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural stimulation capabilityVSAvoidblood circulation inhibition

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode is segmented into multiple discrete contacts rather than forming a continuous wrap around the nerve. This segmentation creates gaps between contacts that prevent complete circumferential encirclement, allowing blood vessels in the epineurium to maintain circulation while still providing sufficient contact points for effective neural stimulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If surface electrodes are used on the nerve bundle, then neural signals can be detected, but signals inside the nerve cannot be read effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural signal detection capabilityVSAvoidinternal nerve fiber signal acquisition

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode array is nested within the nerve epineurium, positioning the electrode contacts inside the nerve's outer protective layer. This nested positioning allows the electrodes to access and record signals from internal nerve fibers while remaining protected within the epineurial structure, enabling effective acquisition of deep neural signals that surface electrodes cannot detect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Strength

If a polymer body is used for the electrode, then structural integrity is maintained, but oxygen and water cannot pass through causing pain and nerve necrosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode structural integrityVSAvoidhypoxia and nerve necrosis

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode structure utilizes a thin film or shell configuration rather than a thick polymer body. This thin-film approach maintains sufficient structural integrity for electrode function while allowing oxygen and water to permeate through the material, preventing hypoxia and nerve necrosis that would occur with impermeable thick polymer constructions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11389645B2Chronic implantable neural probe array for neural signal acquisition and stimulation

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 KOREA INST OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

Provided is a neural probe array including a probe which is insertable into a nerve, the probe having a microchannel which induces the regeneration of the nerve, wherein an electrode is installed within the microchannel and is physically isolated from gliosis, and the microchannel is configured to receive a nerve growth factor for regenerating the nerve, and when the probe is inserted into the nerve, the electrode physically isolated from gliosis accomplishes neural signal acquisition and stimulation.