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Microstructured arrays for cortex interaction and related methods of manufacture and useRelated Patent Categories: Metal Working, Method Of Mechanical ManufactureMicrostructured arrays for cortex interaction and related methods of manufacture and use description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070169333, Microstructured arrays for cortex interaction and related methods of manufacture and use. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Recent advances in neurophysiology have allowed researchers to study the activity of groups of neurons with high temporal resolution and in specific locations in the brain. These advances create the possibility for brain-machine interfaces allowing an amputee to control a prosthetic limb in much the same way that person would control a natural limb. Although noninvasive sensors, such as multichannel electroencephalogram (EEG), have shown some promise as simple interfaces to computers, they do not currently offer the spatial resolution needed for prosthetic control. Current research into the electrical activity of small groups of neurons has thus been done primarily with arrays of microelectrodes inserted into the brain. [0003] Current intra-cortical microelectrode recording systems can record electrical signals from groups of neurons. These systems typically use a microscopic tapered conductive element, insulated except at its tip, to record the neuron signals. Other conductor designs, such as blunt cut wires, may record single neurons, but have sub-optimal recording characteristics. Further, nearly all recording systems rely on arrays of fixed electrodes connected to data acquisition systems through long wiring or cable harnesses. The percutaneous connectors associated with these cables present a potential source of infection that limits the useful life of these systems. The cables themselves also present additional problems in the design of a prosthesis that must continue to function over many years and not interfere with the patient's daily life. For instance, the cables limit the patient's mobility by being tethered to a signal processing device. Relatively long cables may also present a source of electrical interference and may break after repetitive use. [0004] The current microelectrode systems for recording single neurons can be grouped into two broad classes: those having microdrive mechanisms and those having fixed electrode arrays. Systems with microdrive mechanisms allow one to vertically position the electrodes in the brain tissue. Thus, a user can actively search for neurons of interest and accurately position the electrode tip near the soma of the neuron to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. These systems, however, have their disadvantages. First, even individual microdrive systems are bulky and cannot be fully implanted in a human. Second, microdrive systems typically cannot use more than a few dozen electrodes due to space limitations and the time it takes to independently position each electrode near a neuron. [0005] Fixed electrode array systems overcome some of these problems, but have their own problems as well. Once placed in the brain, fixed electrode arrays can not be repositioned, so they rely on chance proximity to neurons. The most basic fixed electrode arrays record neural activity using multiple micro-wires or hatpin-like electrodes individually inserted into the brain. Because it can take a relatively significant amount of time to insert each electrode, however, these systems have not been widely used. More recently, wire bundles have been developed which are inserted into the cortex as a unit, but they lack features of ideal recording electrodes, such as tip shape, overall size, and impedance. In particular, the common square tip of such microwires can damage the cortex and can have difficulty penetrating the tough cerebral membranes, as well as brain tissue. [0006] A major disadvantage of these fixed array systems is that they do not offer the ability to actively hunt for neurons since the electrode tips cannot be easily placed near the soma of the neurons. To help overcome this, large numbers of electrodes are inserted to increase the chance that the electrodes are positioned in close proximity to neurons. The input impedances of the electrodes may also be lowered to enhance their ability to record distant signals. Lowering the input impedance, however, also lowers the signal-to-noise ratio. [0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a fixed microelectrode array system that may have numerous electrodes providing a high signal-to-noise ratio. Further, there is a need for a fixed array system that has a flexible design and that does not rely upon percutaneous cabling systems to communicate with a data acquisition system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing an electrode array system is disclosed. The method includes machining a work piece of an electrically conductive substance to create a plurality of electrodes extending from a base member. Each electrode has a corresponding base section. A nonconductive layer is provided around at least a portion of the base sections of the plurality of electrodes. The base member is removed from the plurality of electrodes, such that the plurality of electrodes are supported by the nonconductive layer. [0009] Another aspect of the invention discloses an electrode array. The array includes a flexible nonconductive support layer and an array of electrodes. Each electrode has a base section and a tip section, where the base section of each electrode is inserted into the nonconductive layer, such that the electrodes are held together by the nonconductive layer. An electrical connection located on the base section of each electrode communicates with the respective electrode. [0010] In yet another aspect of the invention, a brain implant system comprises an electrode configured to be inserted in a brain and for sensing electrical signals generated by brain neurons. A flexible wiring circuit is connected to the electrode and adapted to receive the neuron electrical signals sensed by the electrode. A processing unit receives the neuron electrical signals from the flexible wiring circuit. The processing unit further includes a detection module for detecting the occurrence of a neuron spike in the received neuron electrical signals. The processing unit also includes a transmitter for transmitting data reflecting the occurrence of each detected neuron spike. [0011] In still another aspect of the invention, a method for operating a brain implant system, comprises: providing an electrode configured to be inserted in a brain and for sensing electrical signals generated by brain neurons; receiving the neuron electrical signals sensed by the electrode over a flexible wiring; receiving the neuron electrical signals from the flexible wiring and detecting the occurrence of a neuron spike in the received neuron electrical signals; and transmitting data reflecting the occurrence of each detected neuron spike. [0012] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the embodiments of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: [0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary brain implant system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a neuron signal processing system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 2B is a block diagram of a power supply system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate exemplary process for making an electrode array consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIGS. 4A to 4G illustrate an alternative, exemplary process for making an electrode array consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an exemplary wiring, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, for attachment to an electrode array; and [0020] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method, consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, for connecting an electrode to a wiring. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0021] Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Continue reading about Microstructured arrays for cortex interaction and related methods of manufacture and use... Full patent description for Microstructured arrays for cortex interaction and related methods of manufacture and use Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Microstructured arrays for cortex interaction and related methods of manufacture and use patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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