VIRTUAL ELECTRODES FOR HIGH-DENSITY ELECTRODE ARRAYS

• US 20160136416A1
• Filed: 09/11/2015
• Published: 05/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Original Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Inventors: Cela, Carlos Jose, Lazzi, Gianluca
• Granted Patent: US 9,656,061 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0531 Brain cortex electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0551 Spinal or peripheral nerve electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0553 Paddle shaped electrodes, e.g. for laminotomy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36185 Selection of the electrode configuration

Abstract

The present embodiments are directed to implantable electrode arrays having virtual electrodes. The virtual electrodes may improve the resolution of the implantable electrode array without the burden of corresponding complexity of electronic circuitry and wiring. In a particular embodiment, a virtual electrode may include one or more passive elements to help steer current to a specific location between the active electrodes. For example, a passive element may be a metalized layer on a substrate that is adjacent to, but not directly connected to an active electrode. In certain embodiments, an active electrode may be directly coupled to a power source via a conductive connection. Beneficially, the passive elements may help to increase the overall resolution of the implantable array by providing additional stimulation points without requiring additional wiring or driver circuitry for the passive elements.

Claims

1. A method of stimulating biological tissue, the method comprising:

providing a stimulating current to a first active electrode in an implantable bio-stimulator device; and

collecting return current from a second active electrode in the implantable bio-stimulator device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first active electrode and the second active electrode are arranged in an array configuration with one or more regions defining a virtual electrode disposed adjacent to the first active electrode and the second active electrode, and wherein the virtual electrode positioned such that the virtual electrode receives at least a portion of the current transferred between the first active electrode and the second active electrode.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the stimulating current in a pulse current pulse having finite pulse duration, the pulse duration sufficient to allow a portion of the current emitted by the first electrode to accumulate in a region defining a virtual electrode.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the region defining a pulse duration comprises one or more passive elements configured to direct the current to a predetermined position within the region defining the virtual electrode.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising providing a plurality current pulses to a plurality of active electrodes in an implantable array of bio-stimulator electrodes comprising both active electrodes and virtual electrodes, wherein a duration of the pulses is sufficient to generate a stimulation current in the virtual electrodes.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a sequence of the pulses are applied to preselected active electrodes in the array of electrodes according to a predetermined pattern.