Microfabricated surface neurostimulation device and methods of making and using the same

• US 9,604,055 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2015
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecole polytechnique fãdãrale de lausanne epfl (Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft)
• Original Assignee: Ecole polytechnique fãdãrale de lausanne epfl (Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft)
• Inventors: Mercanzini, Andr, Renaud, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Gedeon, Brian T
• Application Number:
  US14/945,952
• Publication Number:
  US 20160074655A1
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/125 characterised by the manufacture of electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6846 specially adapted to be brought in contact with an internal body part, i.e. invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/685 Microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0539 Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36082 Cognitive or psychiatric applications, e.g. dementia or Alzheimer's disease
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36125 Details of circuitry or electric components
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37211 Means for communicating with stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49147 Assembling terminal to base

Abstract

Described herein are microelectrode array devices, and methods of fabrication and use of the same, to provide highly localized and efficient electrical stimulation of a neurological target. The device includes multiple microelectrode elements arranged along an supportive backing layer. The microelectrode elements are dimensioned and shaped so as to target individual neurons, groups of neurons, and neural tissue as may be located in an animal nervous system, such as along a region of a cortex of a human brain. Beneficially, the neurological probe can be used to facilitate location of the neurological target and remain implanted for long-term monitoring and/or stimulation.

Claims

1. An implantable probe, comprising:

a control module comprising a lower housing;

a microelectrode array film comprising;

a proximal portion coupled with the lower housing; and

a distal portion comprising a surface probe, the surface probe comprising a plurality of depth probe films, each of the plurality of depth probe films comprising a plurality of microelectrode elements; and

a control circuit coupled with the proximal portion of the microelectrode array film, the control circuit comprising at least one of a stimulator, a router, an amplifier, a microprocessor, a memory, or a multiplexer; and

a supportive backing layer coupled with the distal portion of the microelectrode array film.

2. The implantable probe of claim 1, comprising:

a ribbon cable tether coupling the proximal portion of the microelectrode array film with the distal portion of the microelectrode array film.

3. The implantable probe of claim 1, comprising:

a housing comprising the lower housing and an upper housing, the housing comprising at least one fixation structure and that encloses at least a portion of the proximal portion of the microelectrode array film and the control circuit.

4. The implantable probe of claim 1, comprising:

a proximal insulative layer, a conductive layer comprising a plurality of conductive traces disposed on the insulative layer, and a second insulative layer disposed on at least a portion of the conductive layer.

5. The implantable probe of claim 4, wherein:

at least one of the plurality of microelectrode elements is in electrical communication with the control circuit via a respective one of the plurality of conductive traces.

6. The implantable probe of claim 1, wherein the microelectrode array film includes a micro-electromechanical system.

7. The implantable probe of claim 1, comprising:

the supportive backing layer coupled to the surface probe of the microelectrode array film.

8. The implantable probe of claim 7, comprising:

the supportive backing layer including a plurality of cutouts forming a plurality of backing members, each of the plurality of depth probe films arranged along a respective one of the plurality of backing members.

9. The implantable probe of claim 7, wherein a plurality of backing members protrude away from a surface of the supportive backing layer.

10. A method of stimulating a target, comprising:

implanting a probe comprising;

a control module comprising a lower housing;

a microelectrode array film comprising;

a proximal portion coupled with the lower housing; and

a distal portion comprising a surface probe, the surface probe comprising a plurality of depth probe films, each of the plurality of depth probe films comprising a plurality of microelectrode elements;

a control circuit coupled with the proximal portion of the microelectrode array film, the control circuit comprising a stimulator;

a supportive backing layer coupled with the distal portion of the microelectrode array film; and

energizing, with the stimulator, the plurality of microelectrode elements.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising:

positioning the surface probe of the microelectrode array film along a surface of a brain.

12. The method of claim 10, comprising:

recording a neurological activity detected by the plurality of microelectrode elements.

13. The method of claim 10, comprising:

a ribbon cable tether coupling the proximal portion of the microelectrode array film with the distal portion of the microelectrode array film.

14. The method of claim 10, comprising:

coupling at least one fixation structure of the lower housing to a skull.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the microelectrode array film is a micro-electromechanical system.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the probe comprises the supportive backing layer coupled to the surface probe of the microelectrode array film.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the supportive backing layer further comprises a plurality of cutouts forming a plurality of backing members, wherein each one of the plurality of depth probe films is arranged along a respective one of the plurality of backing members.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein a plurality of backing members protrude away from a surface of the supportive backing layer.

19. The method of claim 10, comprising:

a plurality of conductive traces electrically coupling at least one of the plurality of microelectrode elements to the stimulator.