Hybrid multichannel printed circuit board microdrive

An apparatus, comprising:

• a unitarily formed base having a first end, a second end, a first surface and a second surface, each first and second surface being substantially planar and extending between the first end and the second end, the base include first and second apertures and first and second connection holes, the first and second apertures and the first and second connection holes extending through the base from the first surface to the second surface and orientated substantially perpendicular to the first surface;
• at least one retaining bracket mounted to the first surface of the base near the first end, the bracket being positioned over the first and second apertures, the at least one retaining bracket including a first side, a second side, and an inner surface that defines an opening that extends from the first side to the second side;
• a first micro-screw having and a shaft that extends between a first end and a second end, the first end including a head that is positioned within the first aperture and defining a first shoulder which rests against the first side of the retaining bracket and an edge of the first aperture, the shaft of the first micro-screw being threaded and extending towards the base second end, the first micro-screw extending through the bracket opening such that the first micro-screw is orientated between the bracket and the base first surface, the first micro-screw being held along, and rotatable about, an axis parallel to the base, by the retaining bracket;
• a first cannula having an internal bore and being mounted to the first surface;
• a first shuttle having a bore with internal threads and outer surface that is adjacent to the base first surface and is movable along the base first surface, the internal threads of the bore of the shuttle being in a coupling relationship with the threads of the micro-screw, the micro-screw being rotatable in a first rotary direction causing the shuttle to be advanced along the micro-screw in a first direction, the micro-screw being rotatable in a second rotary direction causing the shuttle to be advanced along the micro-screw in a second direction;
• a first electrode having a first end and a second end and being coupled to the shuttle, the second end of the first electrode being threaded through the first cannula such that motion of the first shuttle along the first micro-screw moves the electrode through the cannula;
• a second micro-screw having a head and a shaft, the head of the second micro-screw being positioned within the second aperture and defining a second shoulder which rests against the first side of the retaining bracket and an edge of the second aperture, the shaft of the second micro-screw being threaded and extending towards the base second end, the second micro-screw being held along, and rotatable about, an axis parallel to the base, by the retaining bracket;
• a second cannula having an internal bore and being mounted to the first surface;
• a second shuttle having a bore with internal threads and outer surface that is adjacent to the base first surface and is movable along the base first surface, the internal threads of the bore of the second shuttle being in a coupling relationship with the threads of the second micro-screw, the second micro-screw being rotatable in the first rotary direction causing the second shuttle to be advanced along the second micro-screw in the first direction, the second micro-screw being rotatable in a second rotary direction causing the second shuttle to be advanced along the second micro-screw in the second direction;
• a second electrode having a first end and a second end and being coupled to the second shuttle, the second end of the second electrode being threaded through the second cannula such that motion of the second shuttle along the second micro-screw moves the second electrode through the second cannula
• a surface mount connector mounted on the second surface of the base;
• a first electrode wire, one end of the first electrode wire forming the first electrode and another end of the first electrode wire being electrically connected to the surface mount connector;
• and
• a second electrode wire, one end of the second electrode wire forming the second electrode and another end of the second electrode wire being electrically connected to the surface mount connector.