IMPLANTABLE DEVICE INCLUDING A RESORBABLE CARRIER

• US 20090132042A1
• Filed: 10/17/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neuronexus Technologies Incorporated (NEL Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Neuronexus Technologies Incorporated (NEL Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kipke, Daryl R., Hetke, Jamille F., Vetter, Rio J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,958,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/11.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• 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 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4041 Evaluating nerves condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6877 Nerve
• 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 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes

Abstract

An implantable device for body tissue, including an electrical subsystem that flexes within and interfaces with body tissue and a carrier that operates in the following two modes: provides structural support for the electrical subsystem during implantation of the device in body tissue and allows flexing of the electrical subsystem after implantation of the device in body tissue. The implantable device is preferably designed to be implanted into the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, or any other suitable anatomical location. The implantable device, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Claims

1. An implantable device for body tissue, comprising:

an electrical subsystem that flexes within and interfaces with body tissue; and

a carrier that operates in the following two modes;

provides structural support for the electrical subsystem during implantation of the device in body tissue and

allows flexing of the electrical subsystem after implantation of the device in body tissue.

2. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the carrier allows flexing of the electrical subsystem through absorption of the carrier into body tissue.

3. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the carrier is resorbable into body tissue over a time period.

4. The implantable device of claim 3, wherein the carrier is made from a bioresorbable polymer selected from the group consisting of polyglycolide and polylactide.

5. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the carrier has a tubular shape.

6. The implantable device of claim 5, wherein the carrier has a woven structure.

7. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the electrical subsystem is an electrode array that interfaces with neural tissue.

8. The implantable device of claim 7, wherein the electrode array includes a plurality of electrode sites that electrically stimulate different portions of neural tissue.

9. The implantable device of claim 8, wherein the electrode sites are positioned both circumferentially and axially relative to the carrier.

10. The implantable device of claim 8, wherein the electrode array further includes a plurality of electrode sites that electrically record different portions of neural tissue.

11. The implantable device of claim 8, wherein the electrode array is made of a thin-film substrate.

12. The implantable device of claim 11, wherein the electrode array is made of a thin-film polymer substrate.

13. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the electrical subsystem has a tubular shape.

14. The implantable device of claim 13, wherein the electrical subsystem defines a perforation, and wherein the carrier—

when providing rigidity to the electrical subsystem—

anchors in the perforation.

15. The implantable device of claim 13, wherein the electrical subsystem defines a series of perforations that axially extend in a discontinuous manner along the length of the electrical subsystem.

16. The implantable device of claim 13, wherein the electrode array is made of a thin-film substrate.

17. The implantable device of claim 16, wherein the electrode array is made of a thin-film polymer substrate.

18. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the electrical subsystem has a elongated, substantially planar shape.

19. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the further comprising an additional electrical subsystem that controls the electrical subsystem.

20. The implantable device of claim 19, wherein the further comprising a connector that couples the electrical subsystem to the additional electrical subsystem.

21. The implantable device of claim 20, wherein the connector is a flexible ribbon cable.

22. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the further comprising a stylet adapted to penetrate body tissue.

23. The implantable device of claim 22, wherein the carrier defines a lumen, and wherein the stylet is located within the stylet during implantation of the device into body tissue.

24. A method of implanting and using an implantable device comprising the steps of:

providing an electrical subsystem and a carrier that provides structural support for the electrical subsystem;

implanting the electrical subsystem and the carrier into the body tissue; and

dissolving the carrier into the body tissue and allowing the electrical subsystem to flex within and interface with the body tissue.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of dissolving the carrier includes dissolving the carrier into the body tissue at a rate approximately equal to the healing process of the body tissue.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of providing a stylet, placing the electrical subsystem and the carrier onto the stylet, and penetrating the body tissue with the stylet.