Neural Stimulation Electrode Placement via Functional-Structural Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for implanting electrodes in or near the brain lack precise guidance for determining the optimal cortical location, leading to suboptimal placement and ineffective stimulation or recording due to the absence of real-time functional and physical reference marks during minimally invasive endovascular surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of structural and functional imaging techniques to create a composite image that overlays neural activity onto vascular anatomy, allowing for real-time targeting and implantation of devices within blood vessels, enabling precise placement of electrodes relative to the target cortical location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional radiologically guided methods (e.g., CT methods) are used for intra-operative imaging, then the surgical procedure can be guided with vessel outlines visible, but the methods do not provide real-time functional activity information or static reference marks for determining optimal device placement relative to cortical location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines functional MRI data (showing cortical activity) with structural CT data (showing vessel anatomy) into a single co-registered composite image. This merging allows simultaneous visualization of both functional cortical locations and vascular structures, providing the missing functional activity information while maintaining surgical guidance capability without requiring separate imaging systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the cortical surface with functional activation maps that can be overlaid onto the vascular anatomy. This virtual representation allows surgeons to see functional cortical locations and their corresponding vascular projections without directly exposing or stimulating the cortex during surgery, effectively copying the functional information into the surgical field of view
2Ease of operation
If endovascular electrode array implantation is performed to reach desired cortical location, then minimally invasive surgery is achieved, but precise determination of optimal placement location cannot be made as the cortex is not exposed or accessible for intra-operative stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs functional MRI imaging and cortical mapping before the endovascular procedure to identify desired cortical locations and their corresponding vascular projections. This preliminary functional characterization allows precise target identification during the minimally invasive procedure without requiring cortical exposure, as the functional targets are already mapped and co-registered with the vascular anatomy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses co-registered functional and structural imaging data as an intermediary between the inaccessible cortical functional centers and the accessible vascular pathway. The composite image serves as a mediator that translates cortical location requirements into vascular navigation targets, allowing precise electrode placement through the blood vessel without direct cortical access
3Loss of information
If physical references such as vessel tortuosity, vessel size, aneurism location are used for device positioning, then anatomical landmarks are available, but these references are not associated with or linked to functional activity and cannot determine optimal cortical location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges functional MRI data (cortical activity maps) with structural imaging data (vessel anatomy with physical references) into a single co-registered composite image. This combination associates functional cortical information with anatomical vascular landmarks, allowing surgeons to use familiar physical references like vessel tortuosity and aneurism locations while simultaneously knowing their functional cortical correlations for optimal device placement
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention involves systems and methods for creating and displaying surgical plans for implanting devices in the body.