Thermoplastic Anchoring EEG Electrodes for Brain Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for brain diagnostics and stimulation, such as electroencephalography and deep brain stimulation, face limitations due to signal transmission issues through the scalp and skull, leading to low spatial resolution and invasiveness, with risks of infection and discomfort for patients.
Innovation Solution
The development of implantable devices with thermoplastic fastening elements that anchor interaction pins or electrodes directly to the brain tissue, allowing for close proximity and minimizing invasiveness, while using mechanical vibration energy to liquefy and solidify thermoplastic material for secure anchoring, enabling improved signal transmission and delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrodes on the skull are used for electroencephalography, then the procedure is non-invasive and easy to apply, but the signal transmission capacity is limited and spatial resolution is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new intermediary structure - a cranial implant with electrodes positioned between the skull and brain tissue. This intermediary device overcomes the limitation of scalp electrodes by placing electrodes closer to the brain without requiring full craniotomy, thus improving signal quality while maintaining relative ease of application through a minimally invasive procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from external scalp electrode placement to internal subcranial electrode positioning by drilling holes through the skull. This dimensional change allows electrodes to be positioned in a new spatial dimension (inside the skull cavity), achieving better signal transmission and spatial resolution while still allowing non-invasive access to the electrodes from outside the skull.
2Measurement precision
If subdural electrodes are implanted inside the skull for intracranial electroencephalography, then signal transmission quality is improved, but the procedure becomes invasive requiring skull opening and carries infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the skull into multiple segments by drilling separate holes rather than performing a full craniotomy. This segmentation allows electrodes to be positioned inside the skull cavity while minimizing the exposed area, thereby reducing infection risk while maintaining improved signal transmission quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cranial implant that can be designed as a disposable or temporary device. This approach allows for improved signal transmission through internal electrode placement while minimizing long-term infection risk, as the device can be removed or replaced without requiring permanent open skull access.
3Ease of operation
If deep brain stimulation electrodes are implanted through drilled holes, then the application is easier compared to skull opening, but patient discomfort increases and infection rate remains around 6%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single cranial implant device that includes both the electrode array and the anchoring mechanism. This merging allows for easier implantation through drilled holes while reducing patient discomfort by minimizing the number of separate procedures and reducing infection risk by limiting exposed surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials for the cranial implant, combining biocompatible materials that reduce patient discomfort and infection risk. The composite structure allows for optimized electrode positioning while maintaining patient comfort and minimizing harmful effects through material properties such as biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
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
This approach provides superior signal quality and spatial resolution, reduces the risk of infection, and minimizes invasiveness, allowing for more effective brain diagnostics and stimulation with enhanced patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
Each interaction pin is equipped for the transmission of energy, especially mechanical vibration energy, from the proximal end face to the thermoplastic material to liquefy at least portions of the thermoplastic material from a solid state to a flowable state
Implementation Method 2
whereby the thermoplastic material is capable of flowing into structures of a tissue portion surrounding the periphery and of forming, after re-solidification of the thermoplastic material, an anchoring of the interaction pin in the tissue portion
Data Source
AI summary
An EEG headpiece includes an array of electrode pins, each electrode pin extending between a proximal end, formed by a proximal end face, and a distal end and including a conducting electrode and a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is arranged at least around a periphery of the electrode pin or is pressable from a hollow space to the periphery. Each electrode pin is equipped for the transmission of energy, especially mechanical vibration energy, from the proximal end face to the thermoplastic material to liquefy at least portions of the thermoplastic material from a solid state to a flowable state, whereby the thermoplastic material is capable of flowing into structures of a tissue portion surrounding the periphery and of forming, after re-solidification of the thermoplastic material, an anchoring of the electrode pin in the tissue portion.