Abstract: An optical electrode having a plurality of electrodes, including a recording electrode having a roughened surface and an optical light source configured to emit light, wherein at least a portion of the light impinges on the recording electrode. Also disclosed are methods of producing an optical electrode and an opto-electronic neural interface system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining a relation between stimulation settings for a brain stimulation probe and a corresponding V-field. The brain stimulation probe comprises multiple stimulation electrodes. The V-field is an electrical field in brain tissue surrounding the stimulation electrodes.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining a relation between stimulation settings for a brain stimulation probe and a corresponding V-field. The brain stimulation probe comprises multiple stimulation electrodes. The V-field is an electrical field in brain tissue surrounding the stimulation electrodes.

Abstract: A neural interface array including an optical waveguide, a thin film electrode array associated with the optical waveguide, the thin film electrode array having a plurality of electrodes, and a fluid delivery channel attached to at least one of the optical waveguide and the thin film electrode array. Also disclosed are methods for optical stimulation and a neural interface system with active fluid delivery.

Abstract: The implantable electrode system of the preferred embodiments includes a conductor, an interconnect coupled to the conductor, an insulator that insulates the interconnect, and an anchor that overlaps a peripheral edge of the electrode layer. The anchor is mechanically interlocked with the insulator. This structure is particularly useful with the electrode layer being a neural interface that is configured to provide either a recording and stimulating function.

Abstract: A waveguide neural interface device including: a neural device implantable in tissue and including an array of electrode sites that electrically communicate with their surroundings, in which the array of electrode sites includes at least one recording electrode site; and a waveguide, coupled to the neural device, that carries light along a longitudinal axis and includes a light directing element that redirects the carried light from the waveguide to illuminate selectively targeted tissue, in which at least a portion of the redirected light is directed laterally away from the longitudinal axis and the recording electrode site is configured to sample illuminated tissue. A method for assembling a waveguide neural interface device is also described.

Abstract: A three-dimensional neural probe electrode array system is described. Planar probes are microfabricated and electrically connected to flexible micro-machined ribbon cables using a rivet bonding technique. The distal end of each cable is connected to a probe with the proximal end of the cable being customized for connection to a printed circuit board. Final assembly consists of combining multiple such assemblies into a single structure. Each of the two-dimensional neural probe arrays is positioned into a micro-machined platform that provides mechanical support and alignment for each array. Lastly, a micro-machined cap is placed on top of each neural electrode probe and cable assembly to protect them from damage during shipping and subsequent use. The cap provides a relatively planar surface for attachment of a computer controlled inserter for precise insertion into the tissue.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an implantable electrode lead system that includes a series of shims stacked upon each other, a series of first components, and a series of second components connected to the series of first components through a series of connectors. One of the first components extends from one of the shims, and another of the first components extends from another one of the shims. The shims position the first components in a three dimensional arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a flexible substrate including a modular electrode array disposed on the flexible substrate. The modular electrode array includes a plurality of electrode modules, where an electrode module includes a plurality of electrodes. The flexible substrate also includes a spatial separation between the electrode modules of the modular electrode array, and conductive interconnect coupled to the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device (2) for electrical stimulation. The device comprising an implantable elongated lead system (20) having a distal end (21) and a proximal end (22), the lead system comprises one or more electrical conductors (23) for connection to one or more electrodes (24). The one or more electrical conductors are wound along a length axis (25) of the lead system with a plurality of windings, and wherein the density of windings is non-uniformly distributed along the length axis. In an embodiment, the medical device is in the form of a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device.

Abstract: A neural drug delivery system with fluidic threads implantable into tissue, including: a plurality of fluid delivery conduits configured to transport fluid and having an array of fluid delivery ports through which the fluid is selectively released; a plurality of port gates each including a mesh structure coupled to a corresponding fluid delivery port and coated with an electroactive polymer; a voltage source providing a conductive signal; and an interconnect network that carries the conductive signal to the port gates. In response of the electroactive polymer to the conductive signal, each port gate is selectively operable between a closed mode that prevents transfer of fluid through its corresponding fluid delivery port to the tissue, and an open mode that allows transfer of the fluid through its corresponding fluid delivery port to the tissue.

Abstract: The neural interface system of one embodiment includes a cylindrical shaft, a lateral extension longitudinally coupled to at least a portion of the shaft and having a thickness less than a diameter of the shaft, and an electrode array arranged on the lateral extension and radially offset from the shaft, including electrode sites that electrically interface with their surroundings. The method of one embodiment for making the neural interface system includes forming a planar polymer substrate with at least one metallization layer, patterning on at least one metallization layer an electrode array on a first end of the substrate, patterning conductive traces on at least one metallization layer, rolling a portion of the substrate toward the first end of the substrate, and securing the rolled substrate into a shaft having the first end of the substrate laterally extending from the shaft and the electrode array radially offset from the shaft.

Abstract: An improved deformable carrier or connector for an implantable neural interface device is described. The neural interface device comprises a carrier supporting at least one electrode array. The carrier comprises a tubular sidewall extending from a proximal carrier portion to a distal carrier portion. At least one deformable segment is provided in the carrier sidewall. The deformable segment is more pliable than the remainder of the carrier sidewall to preferably move in response to forces imparted on the carrier and the electrode array by the shifting forces in body tissue. The deformable segment takes the form of a thinned sidewall segment or a slitted wall segment.

Abstract: An improved deformable carrier or connector for an implantable neural interface device is described. The neural interface device comprises a carrier supporting at least one electrode array. The carrier comprises a tubular sidewall extending from a proximal carrier portion to a distal carrier portion. At least one deformable segment is provided in the carrier sidewall. The deformable segment is more pliable than the remainder of the carrier sidewall to preferably move in response to forces imparted on the carrier and the electrode array by the shifting forces in body tissue. The deformable segment takes the form of a thinned sidewall segment or a slitted wall segment.

Abstract: An implantable device for body tissue, including an electrical subsystem that flexes within and interfaces with body tissue and a carrier that operates in the following two modes: provides structural support for the electrical subsystem during implantation of the device in body tissue and allows flexing of the electrical subsystem after implantation of the device in body tissue. The implantable device is preferably designed to be implanted into the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, or any other suitable anatomical location. The implantable device, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate includes a first substrate surface, a surface electrode array that includes a plurality of electrodes disposed on the first substrate surface, one or more flexible neural probes substantially orthogonal to the first substrate surface and insertable into biological tissue, and a penetrating electrode array that includes a plurality of electrodes formed on the one or more flexible neural probes, wherein electrodes of the surface electrode array and the penetrating electrode array are configured to one or both of receive a neural signal from a neural signal source and provide electrical stimulation energy to a neural stimulation target.

Abstract: A test system for medical devices that does not require physical contact with an electrical site along a conductive path is described. Not having to physical contact an electrical site while performing an electrical continuity test avoids potential damage to the site. The test system includes a fluidic channel that dispenses an electrolytic solution onto a first electrical site on the conductive path. A light source irradiates the first site to thereby induce a photoelectrochemical (PEC) effect at an interface thereof. The PEC effect produces a change in both the potential (i.e., voltage) and current carrying ability in the conductive path. That voltage or current is measured at a second site to determine whether there is electrical continuity or discontinuity between the sites on the conductive path.

Abstract: A method and a control system (20) are provided for determining a relation between stimulation settings for a brain stimulation probe (10) and a corresponding V-field. The brain stimulation probe (10) comprises multiple stimulation electrodes (11). The V-field is an electrical field in brain tissue surrounding the stimulation electrodes (11).

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention comprise a customizable multichannel microelectrode array with a modular planar microfabricated electrode array attached to a carrier and a high density of recording and/or stimulation electrode sites disposed thereon. Novel methods of making and using same are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an electrode subsystem configured to interface to biological tissue, an electronic subsystem electrically coupled to the electrode subsystem by a connector, and a guide tube disposed over at least a portion of the electrode subsystem and the connector. The guide tube includes material to provide stiffness to the electrode subsystem and the connector in an axial direction of the guide tube. The guide tube material is removable from the electrode subsystem and the connector over the electronic subsystem when the electrode subsystem is positioned to interface to the biological tissue and while the electronic subsystem remains electrically coupled to the electrode subsystem.