Microfabricated surface neurostimulation device and methods of making and using the same
First Claim
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1. An implantable neurological probe comprising:
- a supportive backing layer comprising a substantially planar surface and defining a plurality of cutouts distributed over the substantially planar surface, the supportive backing layer having a protrusion extending into each of the plurality of cutouts of the supportive backing layer; and
a flexible substrate disposed on the supportive backing layer and comprising an insulative layer, a conductive layer comprising one or more conductive traces disposed on the insulative layer, at least one microelectrode element disposed on the insulative layer and coupled to the one or more conductive traces, and a second insulative layer disposed on the conductive layer, the at least one microelectrode element arranged along the at least one protrusion.
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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.
527 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An implantable neurological probe comprising:
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a supportive backing layer comprising a substantially planar surface and defining a plurality of cutouts distributed over the substantially planar surface, the supportive backing layer having a protrusion extending into each of the plurality of cutouts of the supportive backing layer; and a flexible substrate disposed on the supportive backing layer and comprising an insulative layer, a conductive layer comprising one or more conductive traces disposed on the insulative layer, at least one microelectrode element disposed on the insulative layer and coupled to the one or more conductive traces, and a second insulative layer disposed on the conductive layer, the at least one microelectrode element arranged along the at least one protrusion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for stimulating a neurological target comprising:
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implanting a neurological probe within a vicinity of a neurological target site, the neurological probe comprising a supportive backing layer comprising a substantially planar surface and defining a plurality of cutouts distributed over the substantially planar surface, the supportive backing layer having a protrusion extending into each of the plurality of cutouts of the supportive backing layer, and a flexible substrate disposed on the supportive backing layer and comprising an insulative layer, a conductive layer comprising one or more conductive traces disposed on the insulative layer, at least one microelectrode element disposed on the insulative layer and coupled to the one or more conductive traces, and a second insulative layer disposed on the conductive layer, the at least one microelectrode element arranged along the at least one protrusion; and energizing by a supplied electrical signal, the at least one microelectrode element, wherein the at least one microelectrode element produces an electric field adapted to stimulate the neurological target site. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An implantable neurological surface probe comprising:
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a supportive backing layer comprising a substantially planar surface and defining a plurality of cutouts distributed over the substantially planar surface; a plurality of protrusions, each attached at one end to the supportive backing layer and extending into one of the plurality of cutouts of the supportive backing layer; a microelectrode film disposed along at least a portion of the supportive backing layer;
a plurality of microelectrode elements disposed on the microelectrode film and arranged along each of the plurality of protrusions, each microelectrode element disposed at a respective depth measured from the surface of the supportive backing layer. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method of making an implantable neurological surface probe comprising:
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shaping a supportive backing layer comprising a substantially planar surface and defining a plurality of cutouts distributed over the substantially planar surface; defining within the supportive backing layer a plurality of rigid backing members each having a tip at one end and attached at another end, each one of the plurality of rigid backing members extending into one of the plurality of cutouts distributed over the substantially planar surface; bending each rigid backing member away from a surface of the supportive backing layer, thereby forming a plurality of protrusions; forming a plurality of microelectrode elements on a microelectrode film; fastening the microelectrode film along at least a portion of the surface the supportive backing layer, such that respective subsets of the plurality of microelectrode elements are arranged along each of the plurality of protrusions, each microelectrode element of each respective subset disposed at a respective depth measured from the surface of the supportive backing layer. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification