Vascular Stent Electrodes for Minimally Invasive Neural Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recording and stimulating neural activity in the brain are invasive, carry high risks of complications, and are limited by signal noise and access to cortical areas, necessitating a minimally invasive and efficient method for transmitting electrical energy and data through blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising a stent with electrodes implanted in blood vessels, such as the superior sagittal sinus or cortical veins, for recording and stimulating neural activity, using wireless telemetry to transmit data and power efficiently while minimizing blood flow occlusion and surgical risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If intracranial electrodes are implanted via craniotomy to access cortical tissue, then signal quality is improved, but surgical risk and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses blood vessels as an intermediary conduit to access the brain tissue. Instead of directly opening the skull and performing craniotomy, the device is delivered through existing vascular pathways (arteries or veins) to reach the target cortical or subcortical regions. This intermediary approach maintains the ability to record and stimulate neural tissue while eliminating the need for high-risk craniotomy surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical craniotomy approach with a vascular delivery system. Rather than using surgical instruments to physically open the skull and access the brain, the device utilizes the body's natural vascular anatomy as a delivery pathway. This substitution of mechanical surgical access with vascular access significantly reduces surgical risk while maintaining neural tissue accessibility.
2Measurement precision
If penetrating electrodes are implanted to access deep brain structures, then measurement capability is improved, but device longevity is reduced due to glial scar formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs different electrode configurations and materials at different locations along the vascular pathway and at the target site. The device incorporates locally adapted features such as varying electrode densities, different contact materials, and position-specific designs to optimize both measurement capability and biocompatibility. This local quality approach allows the device to maintain signal quality while reducing glial scar formation at critical interfaces.
3Reliability
If lead wires are used to connect implanted devices to external equipment, then electrical connection is achieved, but infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the lead wire component from the device architecture. Instead of using external lead wires that create open pathways for infection, the device employs wireless communication capabilities and integrated circuitry that eliminate the need for external electrical connections. This extraction of the problematic lead wire element maintains electrical functionality while completely eliminating the infection pathway it created.
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
Enables efficient neural recording and stimulation with reduced invasiveness, minimizing thrombus formation and surgical risks, and providing improved signal quality and device longevity.
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
Implementation Method 3
Optimisation of wireless telemetry aimed to send power and data directly through the body to the implanted 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 device, wherein the media includes tissue and/or fluid.