Flexible bio-probe assembly

• US 6,973,342 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2004
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Swanson, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US10/822,491
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 600/378, 600/544, 607/116
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0556 Cuff electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/118 specially for flexible printed circuits, e.g. using folded portions
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0032 of organic insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/108 by semi-additive methods; masks therefor characterised by metallic etch mask H05K3/062; electroplating methods or apparatus H05K3/241

Abstract

A method of producing an electrode brain probe assembly, using a flexible substrate comprising a polymeric layer bearing a conductive material coating. Photolithography and electroplating are used to form a set of contacts and conductors on the polymeric layer of the flexible substrate. Also, the flexible substrate is shaped to have a distal end and to be at least 5 mm long, but less than 5 mm wide and less than 1 mm thick.

Claims

1. An electrode brain probe assembly, comprising:

a) a flexible polymeric substrate;

b) a set of electrical contacts and conductors on said flexible polymeric substrate; and

c) said electrode brain probe assembly having a distal end, and being greater than 5 mm long, less than 5 mm wide and less than 1 mm thick.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further being pointed at said distal end.

3. The assembly of claim 1 further defining a through hole at said distal end, thereby permitting the use of a placement device to push said bio-probe into delicate soft tissue.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said flexible polymer substrate is comprised of a layer of polyether sulfone.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said flexible polymer substrate is comprised of a layer of polyimide.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said conductors are made of a metal.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said conductors are made of a conductive polymer.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said flexible polymer substrate is comprised of a layer of liquid crystal polymer.

9. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said delicate soft tissue is brain tissue.