Stacked Neural Probe Design for Flexible Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional neural probes face challenges such as brittleness, poor mechanical stability, difficulty in achieving low impedance, and limitations in precision of measurement or stimulation due to their rigid and two-dimensional electrode structures.
Innovation Solution
A neural probe with a stacked structure featuring flexible substrates, electrodes on one side, an insulation layer, and a connection part with a dummy pattern, allowing for flexibility, durability, and low impedance while maintaining rigidity where needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a neural probe is made using a silicon material with a bulk shape, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility deteriorates and the probe becomes rigid and brittle
Solution Approach 1:
The neural probe is divided into multiple thin film layers (substrate layer, electrode layer, insulation layer, connection layer) instead of using a bulk silicon structure. Each layer is deposited sequentially to form a flexible stacked configuration that maintains structural integrity while enabling bending and adaptation to curved surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe uses a composite structure combining multiple materials with different properties: a flexible substrate material (e.g., polyimide), conductive electrode material, and insulating material. This composite approach allows the thin film structure to achieve both flexibility and structural strength simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the thickness of the neural probe is increased to secure durability, then reliability is improved, but flexibility deteriorates significantly and tissue loss risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe structure is segmented into multiple functional thin layers deposited on the substrate. This segmentation allows the overall probe to remain thin and flexible while each layer contributes to durability through proper material selection and layer design, eliminating the need for increased overall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The neural probe is constructed as a thin film structure with the electrode array formed on a flexible base substrate. This thin film configuration inherently provides flexibility while the multi-layer design ensures durability through proper material choices and structural arrangement, avoiding tissue loss risks associated with thicker probes.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple electrodes are formed in a two-dimensional form, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and stimulation accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration with multiple electrode layers at different heights. This dimensional change enables more precise spatial positioning of electrodes and improved measurement accuracy while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through sequential layer deposition processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is intended to alleviate the burden upon insertion into a living body and to facilitate the handling of a neural probe, and provides a neural probe including a plurality of electrode parts to be inserted into the human body, wherein the plurality of electrode parts each include a flexible substrate, electrodes disposed on one side of the flexible substrate, and an insulation layer covering the one surface of the flexible substrate, and wherein the plurality of electrode parts are stacked.