Intracranial neural interface system

• US 7,979,105 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• 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), Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Inventors: Garell, P. Charles, Hetke, Jamille, Kipke, Daryl R., Henderson, Jaimie, Williams, Justin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US12/483,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20090253977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 760 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, wherein the electronic component includes a power source; and

a plug coupled to the base;

wherein the plug includes a recess on a side of the plug;

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 power source is an inductive power source.

3. The implantable neural interface node of claim 2, wherein the inductive power source is an RF coil.

4. The implantable neural interface node of claim 1, wherein at least one of the neuroprobe assemblies includes a microelectrode array.

5. The implantable neural interface node of claim 4, wherein the microelectrode array includes at least one shank that is equal to or less than 3 millimeters in length.

6. The implantable neural interface node of claim 4, wherein the power source is an inductive power source.

7. The implantable neural interface node of claim 6, wherein the inductive power source is an RF coil.

8. 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 electronic component includes a power source,

wherein the base 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.

9. 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, wherein the electronic component includes a power source; 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.

10. The implantable neural interface node of claim 9, wherein at least one of the neuroprobe assemblies includes a microelectrode array.

11. The implantable neural interface node of claim 10, wherein the microelectrode array includes at least one shank that is equal to or less than 3 millimeters in length.

12. The implantable neural interface node of claim 9, wherein at least one of the neuroprobe assemblies includes a fluidic component.

13. An implantable neural interface node, comprising:

a base insertable into a mammalian cranium;

a plurality of neuroprobe assemblies coupled to the base;

wherein at least one of the neuroprobe assemblies includes a micro-scale neural target interface device;

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

a plug that couples to the base;

wherein the plug includes a recess on a side of the plug;

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

14. The implantable neural interface node of claim 13, wherein the micro-scale neural target interface device includes a microelectrode array.

15. The implantable neural interface node of claim 14, wherein the microelectrode array includes at least one shank that is equal to or less than 3 millimeters in length.

16. The implantable neural interface node of claim 14, wherein the micro-scale neural target interface device also includes a fluidic component.

17. The implantable neural interface node of claim 13, wherein the electronic component includes a power source.

18. The implantable neural interface node of claim 17, wherein the power source is an inductive power source.

19. The implantable neural interface node of claim 13, wherein the electronic component includes a wireless communication channel.