# US 10,946,187 B2 · Three-dimensional neural probe microelectrode array and method of manufacture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,946,187 B2 - Document ID: US10946187B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/845,611 - Filed: 2017-12-18 - Published: 2018-12-06 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2013-11-08 - Assignees: NeuroNexus Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: NeuroNexus Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Rio J. Vetter; Jamille Farraye Hetke; David S. Pellinen; Bencharong Suwarato; K C Kong - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10946187B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/0529: {Electrodes for brain stimulation} - A61B 5/293: Invasive - A61B 5/6868: {Brain} - A61N 1/0456: {Specially adapted for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS]} - A61N 1/0472: {Structure-related aspects} - A61N 1/0539: {Anchoring of brain electrode systems, e.g. within burr hole} - H01R 43/26: for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device (structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629) - A61B 5/6882: {Anchoring means} - Y10T 29/49169: Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A neural probe electrode assembly comprising: a platform having a plurality of sidewalls and comprising: an upper layer; a lower layer; a middle insulator layer sandwiched between the upper layer and the lower layer, wherein the upper layer, the lower layer, and the middle platform layer are aligned with each other to form the plurality of sidewalls; and a plurality of slots spaced apart from the plurality of sidewalls and extending through a thickness of the platform, wherein a slot of the plurality of slots includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a different width than the upper portion; and a plurality of neural probe electrode arrays residing within the plurality of slots, wherein a neural probe electrode array of the plurality of neural probe electrode arrays resides in the slot and includes electrode contacts configured to at least one of transmit signals into or receive the signals from tissue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the neural probe electrode array comprises: a bond pad plate that resides with the slot and supports bond pads; a plurality of shanks that extends from the bond pad plate out of the slot and beyond the platform and that supports the electrode contacts; and a plurality of buried conductive traces that run along the plurality of shanks and connect the electrode contacts supported by the plurality of shanks to the bond pads supported by the bond pad plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slots includes at least two slots arranged substantially parallel to each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot is defined by a first inner edge of the upper layer, a second inner edge of the middle insulator layer, and a third inner edge of the lower layer and wherein the first inner edge and the second inner edge are aligned with each other but spaced apart from the third inner edge. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the slot is defined by a first inner edge of the upper layer and a second inner edge of the middle insulator layer, wherein the first inner edge and the second inner edge are aligned with each other. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 5, wherein the lower portion of the slot is defined by a third inner edge of the lower layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the slot has a width that is greater than a width of the lower portion of the slot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the slot comprises a first slot portion having a first width and a second slot portion having a second width that is smaller than the first width and wherein the first slot portion is in open communication with the second slot portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 8, wherein the first slot portion has a first depth in a direction perpendicular to the first width and the second slot portion has a second depth in a direction perpendicular to the second width and wherein the second depth is greater than the first depth. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the neural probe electrode array comprises: a plurality of shanks, wherein at least one shank of the plurality of shanks has a pointed tip. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the electrode contacts is supported by the pointed tip of the at least one shank. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the neural probe electrode array comprises: a bond pad plate that resides with the slot and supports bond pads, wherein the bond pad plate has an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, and a right edge; and wherein a step resides where the right edge meets the lower edge and an opposed step where the left edge meets the lower edge. ### Claim 13 A neural probe electrode assembly comprising: a platform having a plurality of sidewalls and comprising: an upper layer; a lower layer; a middle insulator layer sandwiched between the upper layer and the lower layer, wherein the upper layer, the lower layer, and theme aligned with each other to form the plurality of sidewalls; and a plurality of slots spaced apart from the plurality of sidewalls and extending through a thickness of the platform, wherein a slot of the plurality of slots includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion having a different width than the upper portion; and a plurality of neural probe electrode arrays residing within the plurality of slots, wherein a neural probe electrode array of the plurality of neural probe electrode arrays comprises: a bond pad plate that resides with the slot and supports bond pads; a plurality of shanks that extends from the bond pad plate out of the slot and beyond the platform and that supports electrode contacts configured to at least one of transmit signals into or receive the signals from tissue arrays; and a plurality of buried conductive traces that run along the plurality of shanks and connect the electrode contacts supported by the plurality of shanks to the bond pads supported by the bond pad plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 13, wherein the bond pad plate has an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, and a right edge, and wherein a step resides where the right edge meets the lower edge and an opposed step where the left edge meets the lower edge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 13, wherein the plurality of slots includes at least two slots arranged substantially parallel to each other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 13, wherein the slot is defined by a first inner edge of the upper layer, a second inner edge of the middle insulator layer, and a third inner edge of the lower layer and wherein the first inner edge and the second inner edge are aligned with each other but spaced apart from the third inner edge. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 13, wherein the upper portion of the slot is defined by a first inner edge of the upper layer and a second inner edge of the middle insulator layer, wherein the first inner edge and the second inner edge are aligned with each other. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 17, wherein the lower portion of the slot is defined by a third inner edge of the lower layer, and wherein the upper portion of the slot has a width that is greater than a width of the lower portion of the slot. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 13, wherein the slot comprises a first slot portion having a first width and a second slot portion having a second width that is smaller than the first width and wherein the first slot portion is in open communication with the second slot portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The neural probe electrode assembly of claim 19, wherein the first slot portion has a first depth in a direction perpendicular to the first width and the second slot portion has a second depth in a direction perpendicular to the second width and wherein the second depth is greater than the first depth.