Twisted Microprobe with Central Support for Deep Brain Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current deep brain stimulation microprobes face challenges in achieving a balance between small diameter for minimally invasive implantation, navigability through the cerebral venous network, and the ability to support a high number of independently programmable electrodes for precise stimulation, while avoiding neurological damage and side effects.
Innovation Solution
A microprobe with a twisted structure of up to 100 insulated wires, each with a diameter of less than 0.5 mm, and a central support structure that allows for elastic deformation and MRI protection, enabling precise stimulation and long-term implantation with multiple electrodes oriented in various directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the probe diameter is reduced to less than 1.5 French (0.5 mm) for minimally invasive implantation, then neurological damage is reduced and navigability is improved, but the structural rigidity is compromised making it difficult to place and transmit rotational movements
Solution Approach 1:
The probe employs a composite structure combining a flexible polymer jacket (elastomer or thermoplastic) with embedded conductive wires and a central support element. This composite design allows the probe to maintain sufficient torsional rigidity for placement and stimulation while keeping the overall diameter under 1.5 French to minimize neurological damage during implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe structure implements local quality variations through a tapered configuration where the distal tip has a smaller diameter than the proximal portion. This allows the tip to be sufficiently flexible for navigating the venous network while the proximal portion maintains structural integrity for transmitting rotational movements and providing torsional rigidity when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the probe is made more flexible to improve navigability through the venous network, then insertion is easier, but the ability to transmit rotational movements and maintain structural integrity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The probe features a tapered structure with a distal tip diameter smaller than the proximal portion, creating local quality variations. The distal tip is more flexible for navigating the venous network, while the proximal portion maintains structural integrity for transmitting rotational movements and providing torsional rigidity when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction with polymer jacket, conductive wires, and central support element allows different regions of the probe to have different mechanical properties. The flexible polymer enables navigability while the embedded structure maintains structural integrity for functional operations.
3Measurement precision
If the number of independently programmable electrodes is increased to at least 8 (preferably 20 to 100) for precise stimulation, then stimulation precision is improved, but the probe diameter increases and traumatic effect is amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The probe divides the stimulation function into multiple segmented conductive wires (at least 8, preferably 20 to 100) that are independently programmable. Each wire can be selectively activated to stimulate specific target areas, enabling precise multipoint stimulation while keeping each individual conductor thin to minimize overall probe diameter and traumatic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe arranges conductors in a three-dimensional configuration within the polymer jacket, allowing multiple independently programmable electrodes to be positioned at different spatial locations and orientations. This dimensional arrangement enables precise stimulation of deep brain structures without requiring a proportionally large probe diameter.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the electrode surface area is reduced to minimize psychiatric side effects, then stimulation safety is improved, but the stimulation effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The probe segments the total stimulation function across multiple thin conductive wires, each with small surface area. By distributing the stimulation load across at least 8 (preferably 20 to 100) independent electrodes, the system achieves effective stimulation through distributed low-power contacts, minimizing psychiatric side effects while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
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
The microprobe achieves precise stimulation of deep brain areas with reduced neurological risk, improved navigability, and long-term biostability, while maintaining a small diameter compatible with interventional neuroradiology catheters, allowing for effective treatment of conditions like Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of at least eight individually insulated conducting wires twisted together, each conducting wire comprising: an electrically conductive core microcable, suitable for being connected in its proximal part to a pole of a generator of an active implantable medical device
Implementation Method 2
a central support structure in the form of a surface of revolution, this central support structure being devoid of i) a conducting wire and ii) a central light
Data Source
Figure 1~3d
Figure 4~7
Figure 8
AI summary
This microprobe (10), with an overall diameter of less than 1.5 French (0.5 mm), comprises a plurality of at least eight individually insulated conducting wires (14, 14') twisted together. Each conducting wire includes an electrically conductive microcore cable and an insulating layer (18) surrounding the core cable and having at least one bare area (38, 38') to form a sensing/stimulation electrode for the microprobe. The microprobe further comprises a central support structure (12) in the form of a surface of revolution, devoid of conducting wire and a central lumen. The conducting wires (14, 14') are configured in one or more layers of twisted peripheral conducting wires, carried by the central support structure (12) and circumferentially distributed thereon.