Robotic Wire Electrode Implantation for Angled Brain Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for implanting flexible neural electrodes face challenges such as long preparation times, limited implantation speed, inability to freely select implantation sites, and potential damage to brain tissue due to rigid implantation heads or electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising an implantation apparatus with an implantation needle, feed mechanism, and actuation mechanism, along with optical and camera systems for precise alignment and angle adjustment, enabling robotic implantation of wire electrodes at different angles and orientations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual implantation is used with adhesive or ferrule to fix wire electrodes onto guide needles, then the wire electrodes can be implanted, but the preparation time becomes long and the implantation speed is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation speedVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the wire electrode from the guide needle after implantation by using a release mechanism. The guide needle serves only as an insertion tool, and the electrode is detached and left in the brain tissue while the needle is withdrawn. This eliminates the need for time-consuming adhesive or ferrule fixation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The implantation system is divided into separate functional components: the guide needle for insertion, the wire electrode for signal transmission, and the release mechanism for detachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring time-consuming assembly or fixation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual implantation requires simultaneous implantation of one row of wire electrodes, then the procedure is standardized, but the ability to freely select implantation sites is lost and multiple combinations are needed exceeding one row

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreedom to select implantation siteVSAvoidnumber of guide needles and wire electrode combinations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a robotic system with multi-axis movement capabilities that can dynamically adjust the position and orientation of the implantation needle in real-time. This allows free selection of implantation sites on the curved brain surface without being constrained to fixed rows or patterns, and eliminates the need for multiple pre-prepared needle-electrode combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If robot-assisted implantation uses an implantation head mounted on a three-axis moving stage, then positioning is improved, but the implantation head cannot perform implantation at different angles and can only perform rectilinear motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation angle adjustmentVSAvoidmovement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a three-axis rectilinear motion system to a robotic arm system with rotational joints that provide angular degrees of freedom. This allows the implantation needle to approach the brain surface from various angles and orientations, accommodating the curved topology of the brain surface and enabling implantation at non-rectilinear trajectories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Strength

If the hardness of the wire electrode is increased to prevent breakage during implantation, then the wire electrode can withstand implantation forces, but the damage to brain tissue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewire electrode strengthVSAvoidbrain tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the wire electrode by using a flexible, soft material with low stiffness. This allows the electrode to be gently inserted into the brain tissue without causing mechanical damage, while still maintaining sufficient strength for long-term operation. The flexible nature of the electrode enables it to conform to the brain tissue without creating stress concentrations that would cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250366937A1System for implanting wire electrode and method for operating same

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 SHANGHAI STAIRMED TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

A system for implanting an electrode wire (1) is configured for implanting the electrode wire (1) into a brain of an organism, and includes an implantation apparatus (100), a first light source (410), a second light source (420), a first camera (430), a second camera (440), a brain surface camera (450), and a processing apparatus, wherein the implantation apparatus is provided with an implantation movement mechanism that is configured to enable the implantation apparatus (100) to implant the electrode wire (1) at different angles in different orientations.