Microfabricated neurostimulation device

• US 10,406,350 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2016
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecole polytechnique fãdãrale de lausanne epfl (Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft)
• Original Assignee: Ecole polytechnique fãdãrale de lausanne epfl (Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft)
• Inventors: Mercanzini, Andre, Renaud, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Flory, Christopher A
• Application Number:
  US15/185,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20160287863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 607 2, 607 45, 607116, 600378, 600544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/34 Trocars; Puncturing needles pointed biopsy instruments A61B10/0233; devices for piercing the ear-lobes A44C7/001; seals or hemostasis valves A61M39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/388 Nerve conduction study, e.g. detecting action potential of peripheral nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6868 Brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

Described herein are microelectrode array devices, and methods of fabrication and use of the same, to provide highly localized and efficient electrical stimulation of a neurological target. The device includes multiple microelectrode elements arranged along an elongated probe shaft. The microelectrode elements are dimensioned and shaped so as to target individual neurons, groups of neurons, and neural tissue as may be located in an animal nervous system, such as deep within a human brain. Beneficially, the neurological probe can be used to facilitate location of the neurological target and remain implanted for long-term monitoring and/or stimulation.

Claims

1. An implantable neurological device, comprising:

a support tube;

a cylindrical member coupled with the support tube, the cylindrical member comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and an internal lumen; and

a microelectrode film coupled with an outer surface of the cylindrical member, the microelectrode film comprising;

a plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes spaced along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member, each of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes comprising at least three microelectrodes at a common location along the longitudinal axis; and

a longitudinal extension extending from a distal end of the microelectrode film and at least a portion of the longitudinal extension extending in the internal lumen of the cylindrical member.

2. The device of claim 1, the microelectrode film comprising:

a first insulative layer;

a plurality of lead contacts;

a plurality of conductive traces to couple the plurality of lead contacts to the at least three microelectrode elements of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes; and

a second insulative layer disposed on the plurality of conductive traces and the first insulative layer.

3. The device of claim 1, comprising:

an electronic component electrically coupled between the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes and a plurality of lead contacts disposed on the longitudinal extension of the microelectrode film.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least three microelectrodes of each of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes are individually addressable.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the at least three microelectrodes of one of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes are electrically coupled together.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the at least three microelectrodes comprises a shape substantially different from another of the at least three microelectrodes.

7. The device of claim 1, the microelectrode film comprising:

at least one band electrode.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality circumferential, segmented electrodes are a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS).

9. A method, comprising:

implanting a neurological device comprising;

a support tube;

a cylindrical member coupled with the support tube, the cylindrical member comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and an internal lumen; and

a microelectrode film coupled with an outer surface of the cylindrical member, the microelectrode film comprising;

a plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes spaced along a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member, each of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes comprising at least three microelectrodes at a common location along the longitudinal axis; and

a longitudinal extension extending from a distal end of the microelectrode film and at least a portion of the longitudinal extension extending in the internal lumen of the cylindrical member;

coupling the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes with a stimulation source;

generating, with the stimulation source, an electrical signal; and

supplying the electrical signal to one of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising:

supplying the electrical signal to one of the at least three microelectrodes of the one of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising:

recording a biological signal at a second of the at least three microelectrodes of the one of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes.

12. The method of claim 9, comprising:

supplying the electrical signal to a circumferential electrode of the neurological device.

13. The method of claim 9, comprising:

recording a biological signal at a second of the of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes.

14. The method of claim 9, comprising:

recording a biological signal at the one of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes.

15. The method of claim 9, comprising:

recording a biological signal at one of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes; and

positioning the neurological device responsive to the biological signal.

16. The method of claim 9, comprising:

removing a trocar from the neurological device.

17. The method of claim 9, comprising:

measuring an attribute of an interface between the one of the plurality of circumferential, segmented electrodes and a patient'"'"'s tissue.