Machine and process for inserting a probe in a brain

A machine configured to select an optimum probe to be implanted in a brain, wherein the machine comprises a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that comprises instructions stored thereon and configured to, when executed by a computer system, direct the computer system to:

• receive:
• an entry point;
• a target;
• a target reference length;
• a length of a fixation device;
• a fixation device depth indication;
• and
• an inventory of probes;
• derive:
• a working length;
• and
• a mismatch between the working length and a proposed working length, respectively, of each probe in the inventory;
• and
• select the optimum probe from the inventory.

A machine configured to design an optimum probe to be implanted in a brain, wherein the machine comprises a Probe-Select configured to:

• select an entry point and a target within the brain;
• connect a neuronavigational system to a skull;
• select dimensions for a fixation device;
• generate a real-time registration of the brain;
• co-register the neuronavigational system between an anatomical model of the brain and a pre-op model of the brain;
• determine in real time a working length for the optimum probe, wherein a distance from a deep end of the fixation device to the target within the brain defines the working length;
• and
• create, based upon:
• the working length, the targets, and the entry point, a custom design for the optimum probe that designates:
• a recoding depth, a number of functional elements, a width for each respective functional element in the number of functional elements, and a spacing respectively between adjacent functional elements, along the optimum probe.