Subdural Therapeutic Strip With Deployable Microelectrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current EEG technology is limited in long-term diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders due to electrode movement caused by cerebrovascular pulsations, making it difficult to maintain accurate recordings of neural activity over extended periods.

Innovation Solution

A subdural therapeutic agent delivery system with microelectrodes that can be deployed between the dura mater and pia mater to record multi-neuronal activity and deliver therapeutic agents directly to the cerebral cortex, allowing for extended monitoring and treatment of brain disorders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If EEG electrodes are placed to monitor neural activity, then diagnosis capability is improved, but electrode stability deteriorates due to cerebrovascular pulsation causing movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneural activity recording accuracyVSAvoidelectrode position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the electrode structure into a stable subdural strip component and a movable microelectrode component. The strip remains anchored in the subdural space while microelectrodes can be individually advanced to penetrate the cortex and lock into place, isolating the recording function from the pulsation-induced movement of the main device body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pia mater serves as an intermediary layer between the subdural strip and the cerebral cortex. The microelectrodes penetrate this intermediary to reach the cortical tissue, allowing the electrode to establish a stable recording interface while the subdural strip itself remains in the more stable subdural space away from direct cortical pulsations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If electrodes are moved to track brain tissue movement, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to loss of contact with target neurons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to brain tissue movementVSAvoidneural signal recording accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The microelectrodes are pre-positioned within the fluid delivery device housing before deployment. Upon deployment, they automatically advance to their target position and can be locked in place before therapeutic agent delivery begins, ensuring the recording interface is established and stabilized before treatment commences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces the need for continuous mechanical adjustment of electrode position with a one-time deployment mechanism. The microelectrodes are advanced mechanically during deployment but then remain fixed, substituting ongoing mechanical adaptation with a static, stable configuration that maintains measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If multiple functions are integrated into one device, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of separate devicesVSAvoidmicroelectrode positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges EEG monitoring, microelectrode recording, and therapeutic agent delivery functions into a single integrated subdural strip system. The fluid delivery device housing serves as the structural platform that houses both the recording microelectrodes and the therapeutic agent delivery mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate implanted devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The subdural strip device is designed with universal multi-functionality, serving as both a monitoring platform and a treatment delivery system. The same structural housing that positions the microelectrodes for neural recording also houses the fluid delivery lumens and outlets for therapeutic agent administration, allowing one device to perform multiple critical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8868176B2Microelectrode-equipped subdural therapeutic agent delivery strip

Publication Date: 2014.10.21 NEW YORK UNIV

AI summary

An apparatus for treating the brain, comprises a first fluid delivery device including a distal end sized and shaped for placement at a first target site between a dura mater and a pia mater of the brain, the first fluid delivery device including a first fluid lumen extending to a first outlet port in the distal end to deliver fluids to a first target location and a first microelectrode mounted within the distal end of the first fluid delivery device for movement between an insertion position in which a first distal tip of the first microelectrode is received within the first fluid delivery device and a deployed position in which the first microelectrode extends out of the first fluid delivery device with the first distal tip thereof penetrating the pia mater to a first electrode target position in the cerebral cortex.