Microelectrode and multiple microelectrodes

• US 8,954,142 B2
• Filed: 06/03/2010
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuronano AB
• Original Assignee: Nauronano AB
• Inventors: Ek, Fredrik, Danielsen, Nils, Petersson, Per, Schouenborg, Jens, Eriksson Linsmeier, Jenny
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, QUYNH-NHU HOANG
• Application Number:
  US13/376,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20120123318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,713 Days
• Field of Search: 604 20- 21, 604/46, 604/502, 604/507, 604/164.01, 604/164.08, 607115-116, 607/120
• US Class Current: 604/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4094 Diagnosing or monitoring seizure diseases, e.g. epilepsy
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/604 Biodegradation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/148 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0412 Specially adapted for transcutaneous electroporation, e.g. including drug reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0476 Array electrodes (including any electrode arrangement with more than one electrode for at least one of the polarities)
• 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 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0536 Preventing neurodegenerative response or inflammatory reaction
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula

Abstract

A medical microelectrode includes an elongate electrode body including a tip section, a main body section and, optionally, a coupling section. The tip section, the main body section and, optionally, the coupling section are embedded in a first electrode matrix element, which is substantially rigid, biocompatible and soluble or biodegradable in a body fluid. Additionally the microelectrode includes a dissolution retarding layer on the first electrode matrix element and/or a second electrode matrix element disposed between the first electrode matrix element and the electrode. Upon dissolution or biodegradation of the first electrode matrix element a drug comprised by the first electrode matrix element or the second electrode matrix element is released into the tissue. Also disclosed are bundles and arrays of the electrodes and their use.

Claims

1. A medical microelectrode for insertion into soft tissue, the medical microelectrode comprising:

an electrically conducting elongate electrode body including a first proximal end, and a second distal end, the electrode body comprising;

a tip section extending from the distal end;

a main body section extending in a proximal direction from the tip section,

wherein the tip section, and the main body section are embedded in a first electrode matrix element, which is substantially rigid, biocompatible and soluble or biodegradable in a body fluid;

a dissolution retarding layer on the first electrode matrix element; and

a second electrode matrix element, different from the first electrode matrix element, the second electrode matrix element positioned such that the first electrode matrix element is positioned between the second electrode matrix element and the electrode main body,

wherein at least one the first electrode matrix element and the second electrode matrix element comprises a drug configured to be released upon dissolution or biodegradation of the first electrode matrix element.

2. The microelectrode of claim 1, wherein the tip section, and the main body section are fully embedded in the first electrode matrix element.

3. The microelectrode of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the electrode body is from about 10⁻

7 m to about 10<sup>−

4</sup> m.

4. The microelectrode of claim 1, wherein the first electrode matrix element comprises a first drug and the second electrode matrix element comprises a second drug different from the first drug.

5. The microelectrode of claim 1, further comprising a coupling section extending in a proximal direction from the main body section.

6. The microelectrode of claim 5, wherein the coupling section is not embedded in the first electrode matrix element.