Abstract: A neural probe system having a single guide tube that is inserted into neural tissue and from which a number of neural probes can be deployed is described. Each probe is deployable into tissue along a desired trajectory. This is done by supporting the electrode array on a spring tape-type carrier that maintains axial stiffness once the neural probe has deployed out a channel in the guide tube. That way, a target neural tissue is bounded by an increased number of neural probes while minimizing trauma to surrounding body tissue.

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: The neural interface system of the preferred embodiments includes an electrode array having a plurality of electrode sites and a carrier that supports the electrode array. The electrode array is coupled to the carrier such that the electrode sites are arranged both circumferentially around the carrier and axially along the carrier. A group of the electrode sites may be simultaneously activated to create an activation pattern. The system of the preferred embodiment is preferably designed for deep brain stimulation, and, more specifically, for deep brain stimulation with fine electrode site positioning, selectivity, tunability, and precise activation patterning. The system of the preferred embodiments, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment (such as the spinal cord, peripheral nerve, muscle, or any other suitable anatomical location) and for any suitable reason.

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.

Abstract: The method of the preferred embodiments includes the steps of providing a base having a frame portion and a center portion; building a preliminary structure coupled to the base; removing a portion of the preliminary structure to define a series of devices and a plurality of bridges; removing the center portion of the base such that the frame portion defines an open region, wherein the plurality of bridges suspend the series of devices in the open region defined by the frame; and encapsulating the series of devices. The method is preferably designed for the manufacture of semiconductor devices, and more specifically for the manufacture of encapsulated implantable electrodes. The method, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Abstract: The method of the preferred embodiments includes the steps of providing a base having a frame portion and a center portion; building a preliminary structure coupled to the base; removing a portion of the preliminary structure to define a series of devices and a plurality of bridges; removing the center portion of the base such that the frame portion defines an open region, wherein the plurality of bridges suspend the series of devices in the open region defined by the frame; and encapsulating the series of devices. The method is preferably designed for the manufacture of semiconductor devices, and more specifically for the manufacture of encapsulated implantable electrodes. The method, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Abstract: The method of the preferred embodiments includes the steps of providing a base having a frame portion and a center portion; building a preliminary structure coupled to the base; removing a portion of the preliminary structure to define a series of devices and a plurality of bridges; removing the center portion of the base such that the frame portion defines an open region, wherein the plurality of bridges suspend the series of devices in the open region defined by the frame; and encapsulating the series of devices. The method is preferably designed for the manufacture of semiconductor devices, and more specifically for the manufacture of encapsulated implantable electrodes. The method, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.

Abstract: The electrode lead system of a preferred embodiment includes a series of first electrical subsystems; a guiding element that positions the series of first electrical subsystems in a three dimensional arrangement within body tissue; a second electrical subsystem; and at least one connector that couples the first electrical subsystems to the second electrical subsystem. The electrode lead system of another preferred embodiment includes a series of electrode arrays; a guide tube that facilitates implantation of electrode arrays within body tissue and temporarily contains the series of electrode arrays; and a guiding element that provides a bias on the series of electrode arrays such that (a) when contained by the guide tube, the first electrical subsystems maintain a substantially singular path within body tissue, and (b) when not contained by the guide tube, the first electrical subsystems diverge along more than one path into a three dimensional arrangement within body tissue.

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 is connected to both the conductor and the insulating element. The anchor is mechanically interlocked with at least one of the conductor and the insulator.

Abstract: A device comprises a device carrier having a substantially cylindrical shape and including an array of neural probes. The array of neural probes extend substantially longitudinally from a distal end of the device carrier and include a plurality of central neural probes, wherein a central probe includes at least one stimulating electrode site, and a plurality of peripheral neural probes arranged at a periphery of the plurality of central neural probes, wherein a peripheral neural probe is electrically conducting.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a tubular body having a lumen and a distal region, a plurality of ports at the distal region of the tubular body, and a plurality of independently gatable microvalves disposed at the plurality of ports. A port extends from internal to the lumen to outside the tubular body, and a gatable microvalve is controllable by a stimulus to provide and prevent fluidic transfer through the ports.

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: An implantable optical electrode having a thin film electrode array including a plurality of electrodes, a light source associated with the thin film electrode array, and a passive bioactive agent delivery module associated with the thin film electrode array. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing the array and a neural interface system with passive fluid delivery.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A neural interface system including an electrode array and a carrier that supports the electrode array, in which the electrode array includes a substrate rolled into a three-dimensional shape, a plurality of conductive traces patterned on the substrate and adapted to transmit electrical signals, and a plurality of elliptically shaped, externally facing electrode sites coupled to the plurality of conductive traces that electrically communicate with their surroundings. The plurality of electrodes are arranged in a triangular lattice circumferentially around and axially along the carrier, and the substrate includes an edge that extends axially along the carrier and is constrained between a first axial row portion of the plurality of electrode sites and a second axial row portion of the plurality of electrode sites adjacent to the first axial row portion.