System and method for implanting electrode array in a biological organ
View Patent ↗Presented is a system and method for implanting a flexible electrode array in a biological organ. The system includes an electrode implant tool that includes an elongate rod and an electrode implant assembly having a plurality of attachment members. The electrode implant assembly further includes a ring member connected to each of the attachment members. A variable magnetic field generator is arranged in the ring member. The system uses electromagnetic force to temporarily strengthen the flexible electrodes allowing the penetration into the brain.
1 . A system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ), the system comprising an electrode implant tool ( 100 , 100 ′) comprising:
an elongate rod ( 114 ) comprising a first end ( 116 ) and an opposite second end ( 117 );
an electrode implant assembly ( 120 , 120 ′) comprising a plurality of attachment members ( 118 ) projecting from the second end ( 117 ) of the elongate rod ( 114 ), wherein the electrode implant assembly ( 120 ) further comprises a ring member ( 122 ) connected to each of the plurality of attachment members ( 118 );
a variable magnetic field generator ( 130 ) arranged in a periphery ( 124 ) of the ring member ( 122 );
a plurality of radial arms ( 140 , 140 ′), wherein each of the plurality of radial arms ( 140 , 140 ′) comprises a first end ( 142 ) connected to each of the plurality of attachment members ( 118 ) of the electrode implant assembly ( 120 ) and an opposite cantilevered second end ( 144 ), wherein the cantilevered second end ( 144 ) of the plurality of radial arms ( 140 ) is positioned such that the cantilevered second end ( 144 ) of the plurality of radial arms ( 140 ) is at a higher elevation than the variable magnetic field generator ( 130 ) arranged in the periphery ( 124 ) of the ring member ( 122 );
an electrode holder assembly ( 150 , 150 ′) removably positioned on the top of the cantilevered second end ( 144 ) of the plurality of radial arms ( 140 , 140 ′), wherein the electrode holder assembly ( 150 , 150 ′) comprises a plurality of small teeth elements ( 164 ), and a plurality of large teeth elements ( 168 ) disposed of in the outer periphery of the electrode holder assembly ( 150 , 150 ′), and wherein the thickness of the plurality of large teeth elements ( 168 ) is set larger than the thickness of the small teeth elements ( 164 );
wherein the electrode holder assembly ( 150 , 150 ′) further comprises a central hole ( 152 ) for holding at least one flexible electrode array(s) ( 160 ); and
wherein the flexible electrode array(s) ( 160 ) includes a magnetic material positioned at an unsupported tip ( 161 ) of the flexible electrode array(s) ( 160 ).
2 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode implant assembly ( 120 , 120 ′) is selectively moved relative to the electrode holder assembly ( 150 , 150 ′) to bring the electrode implant assembly ( 120 , 120 ′) in either a first position or a second position.
3 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein in the first position, each of the plurality of small teeth elements ( 164 ) is positioned on top of the cantilevered second end ( 144 ) of one of the plurality of radial arms ( 140 , 140 ′) such that the plurality of small teeth elements ( 164 ) at least substantially overlies on the second end ( 144 ) of the plurality of radial arms ( 140 , 140 ′); and wherein in the second position, the plurality of small teeth elements ( 164 ) does not overlie on the second end ( 144 ) of the plurality of radial arms ( 140 , 140 ′).
4 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the electrode implant assembly ( 120 ) can be is selectively moved in either the first position or the second position by rotating the electrode implant assembly ( 120 ) relative to the electrode holder assembly ( 150 ).
5 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the electrode implant assembly ( 120 ′) is selectively moved in either the first position or the second position by slidably moving the electrode implant assembly ( 120 ′) relative to the electrode holder assembly ( 150 ′).
6 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode holder assembly ( 150 ) is substantially circular in shape.
7 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode holder assembly ( 150 ′) is substantially quadrilateral in shape.
8 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first end ( 116 ) of the elongate rod ( 114 ) is configured to be connected to a surgical manipulator ( 220 ).
9 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the biological organ ( 200 ) is a brain.
10 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the elongate rod ( 114 ) comprises a rotation tube ( 115 ).
11 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the periphery ( 124 ) of the ring member ( 122 ) comprises two flange portions ( 125 ); and wherein the variable magnetic field generator ( 130 ) is arranged in a gap formed between the two flange portions ( 125 ) of the periphery ( 124 ) of the ring member ( 122 ).
12 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of large teeth elements ( 168 ) comprises a fastener hole ( 169 ) to removably connect the plurality of large teeth elements ( 168 ) with a downstream data acquisition system.
13 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the variable magnetic field generator ( 130 ) is configured to generate an adjustable magnetic field by controlling the electric current supplied to the variable magnetic field generator ( 130 ).
14 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the variable magnetic field generator ( 130 ) is selected from a group consisting of electromagnetic coil, current carrying conductor.
15 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a ferromagnetic metal retainer ( 170 ) is removably positioned on top of the electrode holder assembly ( 150 , 150 ′).
16 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein a magnetic material is disposed at least substantially in the electrode holder assembly ( 150 , 150 ′).
17 . The system for implanting at least one flexible electrode array ( 160 ) in a biological organ ( 200 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode holder assembly ( 150 , 150 ′) further comprises an extruding element ( 153 ) connected at the bottom of the electrode holder assembly ( 150 , 150 ′) and configured to extend into a cranial window or opening made during a standard surgical procedure of cranial implantation.