Vascular Stent Electrodes for Neural Sensing and Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recording and stimulating neural activity in the brain are invasive, risky, and limited in efficacy due to surgical complications and signal noise, with existing brain-controlled interfaces (BCIs) requiring invasive surgery and being prone to noise and movement-related artefacts, and intracranial electrodes facing risks of infection and signal deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A medical device is implanted into a blood vessel using a stent with electrodes to stimulate and sense neural activity, minimizing invasiveness while optimizing signal transmission and reducing thrombus formation, utilizing wireless telemetry for efficient power and data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If intracranial electrodes are implanted directly onto the cortical surface, then signal to noise ratio is improved, but surgical risk and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses blood vessels as an intermediary pathway to deliver electrodes to the brain. Instead of directly penetrating the skull and brain tissue, electrodes are routed through the vascular system, using the blood vessels as a natural conduit that already exists in the target area, thereby avoiding the need for craniotomy and reducing surgical risk while maintaining signal quality
2Measurement precision
If penetrating intracranial electrodes are used, then signal quality improves, but risk of infection and signal deterioration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vascular system serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need for creating permanent openings in the skull and brain tissue. By routing electrodes through blood vessels, the pathway is sealed by the vessel walls, preventing infection while maintaining stable signal quality over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical craniotomy and direct cortical penetration approach with a less invasive method that uses the body's existing vascular infrastructure. This substitution reduces tissue damage and the associated risks of infection and signal deterioration from glial scar formation
3Measurement precision
If stent is expanded to bear against vessel wall for electrode stability, then neural recording and stimulation efficacy improves, but occlusion of blood flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is designed with non-uniform structure where only specific localized regions make contact with the vessel wall to provide electrode stability. The majority of the stent structure remains open or compliant to allow blood flow, concentrating the stabilizing function only where needed rather than occluding the entire vessel
4Adaptability or versatility
If wireless telemetry is implemented for power and data transfer, then device functionality and safety improves, but energy transmission efficiency requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired connections with wireless telemetry for power and data transmission. This eliminates the need for physical lead wires that would create infection pathways, improving safety and device functionality while relying on established wireless energy transfer technologies
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 device provides a minimally invasive method for neural recording and stimulation with reduced surgical risks and improved signal quality, enabling control of external devices like exoskeletons and prosthetics through efficient energy delivery and reduced occlusion of blood flow.
Implementation Method 1
a stent movable between a collapsed condition of use for insertion into said vessel and an expanded condition of use for resiliently bearing against a wall of said vessel
Implementation Method 2
one or more electrodes coupled to the stent for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the device
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods and systems for transmitting signals through a device located in a blood vessel of an animal for stimulating and/or sensing activity of media proximal to the devices. The media can include tissue and/or fluid. A method of controlling an apparatus in communication with a brain machine interface. The method can include measuring a first neural activity in a first neural area and measuring a second neural activity in a second neural area. The first neural activity can be associated with a first intent. The method can include creating and delivering, via the processor, one or more first control signals to the apparatus upon comparing the second neural activity with the first neural activity, and confirming, based on this comparison, that the second neural activity is associated with the first intent.