University of Pittsburgh scientists have designed a novel flexible micro-interconnect cable (MIC) designed to connect intracortical microelectrode arrays to devices used to transmit and process recorded brain signals.
Description
Implantable intracortical microelectrode arrays are used to transmit brain signals to devices for research or medical purposes (e.g., deep brain stimulation, operation of prosthetics, recording neural pathways). Current interconnects used to link arrays to devices are relatively large, stiff, and prone to insulation failure. These novel flexible MICs are designed to connect to the commonly used Utah array and be hermetically sealed. Neurotechnology is a growing area of research and clinical need, and novel MICs could advance this field leading to improved outcomes for patients.
Applications
• Intracortical device electronics
• Medical devices
• Research tools
Advantages
Current interconnectors used to link implantable intracortical microelectrodes are stiff, bulky, and prone to insulation degradation. This can impact on the research or clinical use of these devices.
This novel flexible MIC has a diameter .5 mm, is round and flexible, and contains 100-200 leads. The cable can connect intracortical microelectrode arrays to external or internal termination sites with minimal tethering forces. Unlike existing interconnects, the design of this novel MIC makes it possible to hermetically seal connections. Development of novel MICs could lead to improvements in research and clinical uses of neurotechnology.
Invention Readiness
Currently in the concept phase, the MIC is designed to contain 100–1000 signal leads and is composed of between 10 and 40 layers of alternating polymer and metal of 5–10 micron thickness each. These layers will be produced using lithographic techniques resulting in a total cable thickness of 2–4 mm with a protective silicone rubber coating. The initial design terminates to match the backplane of the Utah electrode array, a microelectrode widely used in neuroscience, but can be modified to mate with almost any electrode array. The opposite end of the cable can be connected to subdural devices for conditioning the recorded signals. The MIC is designed to be hermetically sealed both to electrode arrays and to the downstream signal conditioning device.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2023287972A1
