Intracranial neural interface system

• US 7,548,775 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2004
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan), Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Michigan (University of Michigan)
• Inventors: Garell, P. Charles, Hetke, Jamille, Kipke, Daryl R., Henderson, Jaimie, Williams, Justin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US10/970,268
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,699 Days
• Field of Search: 600/378, 607/116
• US Class Current: 600/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• 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 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37514 Brain implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

In some preferred embodiments, without limitation, the present invention comprises an implantable, intracranial neural interface node which is an integrated and minimally invasive platform system and supports cross-modal neural interfaces to the cerebrum and other associated structures in the central nervous system. The neural interfaces comprise electrical and chemical interfaces for neural recording, electrical stimulation, chemical delivery, chemical sensing, chemical sampling, cell delivery, genetic material delivery and/or other functions of interest.

Claims

1. An implantable neural interface node, comprising:

a base insertable into a mammalian cranium;

a plurality of neuroprobe assemblies coupled to the base;

an electronic component coupled to at least one of the neuroprobe assemblies; and

a plug, having a recess on a side of the plug, that couples to the base;

wherein the recess on the side of the plug houses at least a portion of the electronic component.

2. The implantable neural interface node of claim 1, wherein the plug is threaded and screws into a top portion of the base.

3. The implantable neural interface node of claim 1, wherein the electronic component includes an RF coil, and wherein the recess on the side of the plug houses the RF coil.

4. The implantable neural interface node of claim 3, wherein the electronic component further includes telemetry circuit and the plug further includes a second recess on the side of the plug having a depth that is different from the depth of the first recess, wherein the second recess houses the telemetry circuit.

5. The implantable neural interface node of claim 1, further comprising a flexible interconnect cable that couples the base to the plug.

6. The implantable neural interface node of claim 5, wherein the base includes a groove from a bottom portion of the base to a top portion of the base, and wherein a least a portion of the flexible interconnect cable resides in the groove.

7. An implantable neural interface node, comprising:

a base insertable into a mammalian cranium;

a plurality of neuroprobe assemblies coupled to the base; and

an electronic component coupled to at least one of the neuroprobe assemblies;

wherein the base further includes a shelf and the electronic component includes a circuit board on the shelf within the base, wherein the circuit board is substantially flat and circular and defines an open center.

8. The implantable neural interface node of claim 7, wherein the electronic component includes a multiplexer.

9. The implantable neural interface node of claim 8, wherein the multiplexer is coupled to the neuroprobe assemblies, and wherein the multiplexer combines signals from the neuroprobe assemblies.

10. The implantable neural interface node of claim 7, wherein the electronic component includes a plurality of circuit boards, and wherein the circuit boards are stacked within the base.

11. The implantable neural interface node of claim 7, wherein the neuroprobe assembly includes a micro-scale neural target interface device.

12. The implantable neural interface node of claim 11, wherein the micro-scale neural target interface device is a microelectrode array.

13. The implantable neural interface node of claim 12, wherein the electronic component is a multiplexer.

14. The implantable neural interface node of claim 13, wherein the multiplexer is adapted to combine signals from the microelectrode array.

15. An implantable neural interface node, comprising:

a base insertable into a mammalian cranium, wherein the base includes a groove from a

bottom portion of the base to a top portion of the base;

a plurality of neuroprobe assemblies coupled to the base;

an electronic component coupled to at least one of the neuroprobe assemblies; and

a flexible interconnect cable that connects the electronic component to at least one neuroprobe assembly;

wherein a least a portion of the flexible interconnect cable resides in the groove.