Microelectrode array for chronic deep-brain microstimulation for recording

• US 20060276866A1
• Filed: 06/02/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huntington Medical Research Institutes
• Original Assignee: Huntington Medical Research Institutes
• Inventors: McCreery, Douglas B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,831,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/685 Microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0534 Electrodes for deep brain stimulation

Abstract

The invention relates to a multielectrode probe having a silicon substrate which supports multiple conductive electrodes for deep-brain electrical stimulation or recording of neural responses. The substrate has an upper end with multiple conductive portions for bonding to lead wires, and an elongated shank extends from the upper end. The shank supports multiple spaced-apart electrodes, typically ten in number, and conductive traces electrically connect the electrodes and conductive traces. Multiple probes are combined, and supported as an array by a cylindrical alignment cylinder.

Claims

1. A multielectrode probe for brain implantation for electrical stimulation of deep-brain nuclei for correction of movement disorders, or recording of neural responses, comprising an elongated, slender silicon-substrate probe having an enlarged upper end with multiple conductive portions thereon for bonding to lead wires, the probe having an elongated shank with multiple spaced-apart electrodes, each electrode being electrically connected to a respective conductive portion by a conductive trace extending from the upper end along the shank.

2. The probe of claim 1, in which about ten electrodes are spaced along the shank for deep-brain electrical stimulation.

3. The probe of claim 1, in which about ten electrodes are spaced along the shank for recording neural response to electrical stimulation.

4. The probe of claim 1 in which the shank is about 10 mm in length.

5. The probe of claims 3 or 4, in which the conductive traces extend in parallel along the shank, the traces being about 4 μ

m in width, and being spaced apart about 2 μ

m.

6. The probe of claim 1, in which the electrodes are for electrical stimulation, and made of activated iridium, each electrode being about 290 μ

m high, and 35 μ

m wide.

7. The probe of claim 1, in which the electrodes are for sensing of electrical neural responses to stimulation, and made of activated iridium, each electrode being about 30 μ

m high, and 35 μ

m wide.

8. The probe of claim 1, which is bonded to a slender elongated iridium shaft for greater stiffness.

9. An array of multielectrode probes for deep-brain implantation, the probes having multiple electrodes for electrical stimulation of deep-brain nuclei, and recording of neural responses, the probes having ends supported within a cylindrical alignment cylinder.

10. The array of claim 9, and further comprising a plurality of discrete activated-iridium wire stimulating electrodes.