Systems and methods for reducing scar formation about a neural implant
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsKevin C. Spencer, Jay Christopher Sy, Michael J. Cima
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for reducing scar formation about a neural implant due to brain tissue and neural implant movement. In an embodiment, a neural implant is provided which has a surface coating that matches one or more mechanical properties, such as elastic modulus, of the brain tissue, thereby reduce scar formation about the neural implant due to normal brain micromotion.
Claims21
A medical device for use in brain tissue, comprising:
- a neural implant configured for insertion into brain tissue;
- and
- a coating disposed on a surface of the neural implant,
- wherein the coating is configured to exhibit in vivo (i) an elastic modulus that substantially matches the elastic modulus brain tissue and (ii) a thickness to accommodate micromotions of the brain tissue relative to the neural implant.
A medical device comprising:
- a neural implant configured for insertion into brain tissue;
- and
- a coating disposed on a surface of the neural implant,
- wherein the coating has one or more mechanical properties that substantially match one or more mechanical properties of brain tissue, such that, when the neural implant is implanted into the brain, the coating is effective to reduce scar formation about the neural implant, the scar formation being due at least in part to movement of the brain tissue relative the neural implant and the reduction in scar formation being relative to the scar formation that would be formed on a neural implant without the coating.
A method to reduce scar formation about a neural implant due to brain tissue and neural implant movement, the method comprising:
- coating a surface of the neural implant with a coating material that comprises one or more mechanical properties that substantially match one or more mechanical properties of the brain tissue, before positioning the neural implant in the brain tissue.
A system for delivering chemical and/or electrical stimulation across one or more neural circuits and/or to sense and record neural activity, the system comprising:
- an elongated, rigid neural implant insertable into the brain tissue;
- and
- a hydrogel coating disposed on a surface of the neural implant,
- wherein the hydrogel coating which is configured to exhibit in vivo (i) an elastic modulus that substantially matches the elastic modulus brain tissue and (ii) a thickness to accommodate micromotions of the brain tissue relative to the neural implant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.