CORTICAL ELECTRODE ARRAY AND METHOD FOR STIMULATING AND RECORDING BRAIN ACTIVITY

• US 20090192569A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New York University
• Original Assignee: New York University
• Inventors: Llinas, Rodolfo R., Sugimori, Mutsuyuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,315,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/291 for electroencephalography [EEG]
• 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

Abstract

An electrode device and a method of installing the electrode device in the vicinity of the brain. The electrode device includes a plurality of electrode assemblies, each with at least one electrode lead, extending from a common base. The base is configured to be positioned on an outside of the patient'"'"'s cranium with each electrode assembly projecting individually through a hole in the patient'"'"'s cranium such that the electrode lead is in the vicinity of the brain. The method of installation includes carving a recess out of the patient'"'"'s cranium and inserting the base therein. Each of the electrode assemblies are placed in their respective holes in order to stimulate, monitor or record neurological activity. The electrode device may be used over long periods of time for chronic treatment or recording.

Claims

1. An electrode array assembly for providing electrical communication with tissue within a cranium, the assembly comprising:

a base adapted to be received in a recess formed in the cranium, the recess having a depth which is less than a thickness of the cranium such that a layer of the cranium is provided between the base and the tissue;

a plurality of electrode assemblies mounted to the base, each electrode assembly mounted at a respective first end to the base and extending in a generally outward direction away from the base toward a respective second end, each electrode assembly adapted to be received within a respective through hole in the layer of the cranium provided between the base and the tissue, each electrode assembly including a conductive element for providing electrical communication between a respective portion of the tissue and a respective electrical conductor associated with the base and corresponding to the respective electrode assembly.

2. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrode assemblies are disposed in an array including a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.

3. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrode assemblies is configured to rest in a vicinity of a dura mater of the patient.

4. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrode assemblies is configured to penetrate into brain tissue.

5. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrode assemblies includes a stimulating electrode lead.

6. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrode assemblies includes a monitoring electrode lead.

7. The electrode array assembly of claim 1, where at least one of the plurality of electrode assemblies includes more than one electrode lead.

8. The electrode array assembly of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of electrode assemblies includes a monitoring electrode lead.

9. The electrode array assembly of claim 1 further comprising a recording system configured to record electrical communication monitored by at least one of the plurality of electrode assemblies.

10. The electrode array assembly of claim 1 further comprising a communications interface connected to the plurality of electrode assemblies and configured to communicate at least one of electrical communications monitored by the electrode assemblies and stimulating activity to be carried out by the electrode assemblies.

11. The electrode array assembly of claim 10 wherein the communications interface is disposed in a housing, the housing configured to receive a power source and be disposed in a chest of the patient.

12. A method of treating a patient with an electrode array assembly for providing electrical communication with tissue inside the patient'"'"'s cranium, the method comprising:

providing an electrode array assembly including a base and a plurality of electrode assemblies mounted to the base, each electrode assembly having a first end adjacent the base and extending in a generally outward direction away from the base to a respective second end, and each electrode assembly including a conductive element;

forming a recess in an outer surface of the patient'"'"'s cranium, the recess having a depth which is less than a thickness of the cranium such that a recessed portion of the cranium is provided within the recess;

boring a plurality of holes through the recessed portion of the cranium;

inserting the base into the recess;

disposing each electrode assembly in a respective hole in the recessed portion of the cranium such that the second end of each electrode assembly is disposed in a vicinity of a respective portion of the tissue; and

conducting electrical communication between the conductive element of each electrode assembly and the respective portion of the tissue.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the tissue includes a dura mater surrounding the brain.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the second end of at least one of the plurality of electrode assemblies penetrates brain tissue and the respective portion of the tissue includes the brain tissue.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrical communication includes monitoring activity of the patient'"'"'s brain.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the electrical communication includes stimulating the patient'"'"'s brain.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a communications interface in communication with each conductive element, and

providing communications between the electrode array assembly and an external electronic device through the communications interface.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a recording system in communication with the electrode array assembly, and

recording the monitored activity of the patient'"'"'s brain.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the recess is formed in the outer lamella of the patient'"'"'s cranium.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising fixing the base of the electrode array assembly in the recess.