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成为各种难治性神经疾病的治疗方法，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的技术，如射频消融和深部脑刺激，涉及高分辨率成像和电生理测绘。目前，电生理作图是利用单通道可移动微电极穿透计算目标结构，以识别神经元结构边界。每个微电极移动得非常缓慢，停下来检查单个细胞并记录放电频率和模式。这个映射过程冗长而耗时。提出的脑深部微电极阵列（DBMA）将由24个电极点组成，以双线排列的方式定位，允许同时监测跨越12毫米或更大的多个脑区域，大大提高了绘图程序的效率。拟议的第一阶段项目将集中于开发一种原型设备，该设备在尺寸上适合于绘制人类深部大脑结构。制造和设备功能的可行性将通过一系列的实验室和动物试验进行验证。DBMA设备的可能改进（通过二期项目）可能包括针对单元和现场记录优化的记录位置以及增产作业的记录位置。为了实现该项目的目标，neuroonexus技术公司，一家领先的微型制造、微型神经探针供应商，将与FHC公司合作，FHC公司是一家领先的术中微电极供应商，用于记录和刺激功能性神经外科手术过程。

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.