Self-Anchoring MEMS Intrafascicular Neural Electrode
First Claim
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1. An intrafascicular neural electrode comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) comprising a stem structure, at least one barb structure attached to the stem structure, and at least one conductive trace located on the stem structure or the stem structure and the barb structure, wherein:
- (A) the stem structure comprises;
(i) a lead end and a contact end(B) the barb structure comprises;
(i) a base end in direct contact with the stem structure;
(ii) an unattached distal tip end located opposite from the base end;
wherein the barb structure comprises at least two layers comprising;
(a) a first layer; and
(b) a second layer;
wherein the first and the second layers have different thermal expansion coefficients, such that when the barb structure is at a first temperature it is in a first, zero stress position, and when at a second temperature it is in a second, flex position.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a self anchoring electrode for recording, measuring and/or stimulating nerve activity in nerves and/or nerve fascicles of the peripheral nervous system, and methods for using such a self anchoring electrode.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An intrafascicular neural electrode comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) comprising a stem structure, at least one barb structure attached to the stem structure, and at least one conductive trace located on the stem structure or the stem structure and the barb structure, wherein:
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(A) the stem structure comprises; (i) a lead end and a contact end (B) the barb structure comprises; (i) a base end in direct contact with the stem structure; (ii) an unattached distal tip end located opposite from the base end; wherein the barb structure comprises at least two layers comprising; (a) a first layer; and (b) a second layer; wherein the first and the second layers have different thermal expansion coefficients, such that when the barb structure is at a first temperature it is in a first, zero stress position, and when at a second temperature it is in a second, flex position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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17. A method for measuring and/or recording activity in a neural cell from the peripheral nervous system (PNS) comprising
(I) attaching to the neural cell an electrode system comprising (1) a neural electrode comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) comprising a stem structure, at least one barb structure attached to the stem structure, and at least one conductive trace located on either the stem structure or the barb structure or both, wherein: -
(A) the stem structure comprises; (a) a lead end and a contact end (B) the barb structure comprises; (a) a base end in direct contact with the stem structure; (b) an unattached distal tip end located opposite from the base end; wherein the barb structure comprises at least two layers comprising; (i) a first layer; and (ii) a second layer; wherein the first and the second layers have different thermal expansion coefficients, such that when the barb structure is at a first temperature it is in a first, zero stress position, and when at a second temperature it is in a second, flex position; and (2) a device that can measure neural activity in electrical communication with the neural electrode of (1); and (II) measuring and/or recording the neural activity detected by the at least one conductive trace.
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18. A method for stimulating a neural cell from the peripheral nervous system (PNS) comprising:
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(I) attaching to the neural cells an electrode system comprising (1) a neural electrode comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) comprising a stem structure, at least one barb structure attached to the stem structure, and at least one conductive trace located on either the stem structure or the barb structure or both, wherein; (A) the stem structure comprises; (a) a lead end and a contact end (B) the barb structure comprises; (a) a base end in direct contact with the stem structure; (b) an unattached distal tip end located opposite from the base end; wherein the barb structure comprises at least two layers comprising; (i) a first layer; and (ii) a second layer; wherein the first and the second layers have different thermal expansion coefficients, such that when the barb structure is at a first temperature it is in a first, zero stress position, and when at a second temperature it is in a second, flex position; and (2) a device that can provide a stimulus to neural cells in electrical communication with the neural electrode of (1); and (II) applying an electric stimulus to the neural cell by inputting a stimuli to the neural cell through at least one conductive trace.
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23. A method of making an intrafascicular electrode comprising:
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(a) providing a substrate; (b) layering a first material having a first thermal expansion coefficient onto the substrate; (c) layering a second material having a second thermal expansion coefficient onto the layer of the first material; (d) applying a mask to the layer of the second material to form a pattern for a conductive layer; (e) applying a conductive layer on top of the masked layer of the second material, forming a conductive trace; (f) applying a second mask to the surface of the material generated in (e) to form the dimensions of a barb structure having a base end, a distal tip end and two adjacent sides; (g) etching along three sides of the barb structure defined by the mask of (f) to form openings along the barb structure, creating a distal tip end, and two adjacent sides; wherein the distal tip end of the barb structure is not attached to the substrate; and the first thermal expansion coefficient and the second thermal expansion coefficient are not the same.
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Specification