Deep Brain Microelectrode Array For Functional Neurosurgery

描述(由申请人提供)：神经外科干预措施正在出现，用于治疗各种顽固性神经疾病，包括运动障碍、疼痛和癫痫。目前用于优化立体定向神经外科干预措施的技术，如射频消融和脑深部刺激，涉及高分辨率成像和电生理标测。目前，电生理标测包括用单通道可移动微电极穿透计算的靶结构来识别神经元结构边界。每个微电极前进非常缓慢，停下来检查单个细胞，并记录放电频率和模式。这种映射过程既繁琐又耗时。拟议的深部脑微电极阵列(DBMA)将由24个电极点组成，以双线性排列，允许同时监测跨越12毫米或更长的多个脑区，大大提高了标测程序的效率。拟议的第一阶段项目将专注于开发一种在尺寸上适合绘制人类大脑深层结构图的原型设备。制造和装置功能的可行性将通过一系列的台架和动物测试来验证。对DBMA设备的可能改进(通过第二阶段项目)可能包括为单位和实地记录优化的记录地点和为刺激而优化的地点。为了实现该项目的目标，微制微型神经探头的领先供应商NeuroNexus技术公司将与FHC公司合作，FHC公司是在功能性神经外科手术过程中记录和刺激微电极的领先供应商。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Neurosurgical interventions are emerging as treatments for a variety of intractable neurological conditions, including movement disorders, pain and epilepsy. Current techniques for optimization of stereotactically targeted neurosurgical interventions, such as RF ablation and deep brain stimulation, involve high resolution imaging and electrophysiological mapping. At present, electrophysiological mapping involves penetrating the computed target structures with single-channel movable microelectrodes to identify the neuronal structure boundaries. Each microelectrode is advanced very slowly, stopping to examine individual cells and to record the firing frequency and pattern. This mapping procedure is tedious and time-consuming. The proposed Deep Brain Microelectrode Array (DBMA) will consist of 24 electrode sites positioned in a bi- linear arrangement allowing multiple brain regions spanning 12 mm or more to be monitored simultaneously, greatly increasing the efficiency of the mapping procedure. The proposed Phase I project will concentrate on developing a prototype device that is dimensionally suitable for mapping deep brain structures in the human. Feasibility of fabrication and device functionality will be validated through a series of bench and animal tests. Possible enhancements to the DBMA device (through a Phase II project) might include recording sites optimized for unit and field recording and sites for stimulation. In order to meet the goals of the project, NeuroNexus Technologies, a leading supplier of microfabricated, microscale neural probes, will team with FHC, Inc., a leading supplier of intraoperative microelectrodes for recording and stimulation during functional neurosurgical procedures.