Neural probe array

• US 20060224060A1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Original Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Inventors: Garell, P. Charles, Williams, Justin C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,774,053 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof

Abstract

A neural probe array is provided for subdural implantation to record intracranial field potentials in the brain. The neural probe array includes a base having first and second sides and a plurality of apertures therebetween. A plurality of contacts are spaced along the first side of the base for recording the field potentials. It is contemplated to provide drug delivery through the apertures in the base in order to enhance the biocompatibility of the neural probe array and to utilize the field potentials recorded by the contacts to drive an external device.

Claims

1. A neural probe array for subdural implantation to record intracranial field potentials in a brain, comprising:

a base having first and second sides and a plurality of apertures extending therebetween; and

a plurality of contacts spaced along the first side of the base for recording the field potentials.

2. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein the base includes:

a first layer having a first outer surface defining the first side of the base and a second inner surface; and

a second layer having a first outer surface defining the second side of the base and a second inner surface bonded to the inner surface of the first layer.

3. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein the first and second layers are formed from insulators.

4. The neural probe array of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a first end operatively connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts and a second opposite end.

5. The neural probe array of claim 4 wherein the second ends of the plurality of conductors are operatively connected to a connector spaced from the base.

6. The neural probe array of claim 4 wherein a portion of each of the plurality of conductors is positioned between the first and second layers of the base.

7. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein the plurality of apertures through the base are arranged in rows and columns.

8. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein the plurality of contacts along the first side of the base are arranged in rows and columns.

9. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of contacts has a diameter in the range of 200 microns to 2 millimeters.

10. The neural probe array of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of contacts is spaced from an adjacent contact by a minimum distance of 300 microns.

11. A neural probe array for subdural implantation to record field potentials in a brain, comprising:

a porous base having first and second sides; and

a plurality of contacts spaced along the first side of the base for recording the field potentials.

12. The neural probe array of claim 11 wherein the plurality of contacts are arranged in rows and columns along the first side of the base.

13. The neural probe array of claim 12 wherein the base includes a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures arranged in rows and columns.

14. The neural probe array of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of conductors, each conductor having a first end operatively connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts and a second opposite end.

15. The neural probe array of claim 14 wherein the second ends of the plurality of conductors are operatively connected to a connector spaced from the base.

16. The neural probe array of claim 11 wherein a portion of each of the plurality of conductors is disposed within the base.

17. The neural probe array of claim 11 wherein each of the plurality of contacts has a diameter in the range of 200 microns to 2 millimeters.

18. The neural probe array of claim 11 wherein each of the plurality of contacts is spaced from an adjacent contact by a minimum distance of 300 microns.

19. A neural probe array for subdural implantation to record intracranial field potentials in a brain, comprising:

a first layer having a first outer surface, a first inner surface and a plurality of apertures therethrough;

a second layer having a second outer surface, a second inner surface bonded to the first inner surface of the first layer, and a plurality of apertures therethrough, the plurality of apertures through the second layer being axially aligned with the plurality of apertures through the first layer;

a plurality of contacts spaced along the first outer surface of the first layer for recording the field potentials; and

a plurality of conductors, each conductor having;

at least a portion disposed between the first and second layers;

a first end operatively connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts; and

a second opposite end.

20. The neural probe array of claim 19 wherein the plurality of contacts are arranged in rows and columns along the first outer surface of the first layer.

21. The neural probe array of claim 20 wherein the plurality of apertures through the first layer are arranged in rows and columns.

22. The neural probe array of claim 19 further comprising a connector operatively connected to the second ends of the conductor for coupling the plurality of conductors to a signal processor.

23. The neural probe array of claim 19 wherein each of the plurality of contacts has a diameter in the range of 200 microns to 2 millimeters.

24. The neural probe array of claim 19 wherein each of the plurality of contacts is spaced from an adjacent contact by a minimum distance of 300 microns.