# US 8,788,064 B2 · Microfabricated neurostimulation device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,788,064 B2 - Document ID: US8788064B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/128,821 - Filed: 2009-11-12 - Published: 2011-12-08 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-11-12 - Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne - Applicants: Andre Mercanzini; Philippe Renaud - Inventors: Andre Mercanzini; Philippe Renaud - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788064B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/0534: {Electrodes for deep brain stimulation} - A61B 5/24: Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof - A61B 5/388: Nerve conduction study, e.g. detecting action potential of peripheral nerves - A61B 5/6868: {Brain} - A61B 17/34: Trocars; Puncturing needles - A61N 1/0529: {Electrodes for brain stimulation} - A61N 1/0531: {Brain cortex electrodes} - A61N 1/37205: {Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula} - Y10T 29/49117: Conductor or circuit manufacturing - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Described herein are microelectrode array devices, and methods of fabrication and use of the same, to provide highly localized and efficient electrical stimulation of a neurological target. The device includes multiple microelectrode elements arranged along an elongated probe shaft. The microelectrode elements are dimensioned and shaped so as to target individual neurons, groups of neurons, and neural tissue as may be located in an animal nervous system, such as deep within a human brain. Beneficially, the neurological probe can be used to facilitate location of the neurological target and remain implanted for long-term monitoring and/or stimulation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implantable neurological probe comprising: a cylindrical member having a distal end, a proximal end, and an internal lumen; a flexible planar substrate comprising: a first insulative layer, a microelectrode film, an extension including a plurality of wire lead contacts, a plurality of microelectrode elements disposed on an outer surface of the microelectrode film, a plurality of conductive traces to selectively couple the plurality of microelectrode elements to the plurality of wire lead contacts, and a plurality of wires to electrically couple the plurality of wire lead contacts to a proximal end of the probe; wherein the microelectrode film of the flexible planar substrate is coupled to an outer surface of the cylindrical member with the extension of the flexible planar substrate extending in the internal lumen toward the proximal end of the cylindrical member, and wherein the plurality of wire lead contacts are disposed within the internal lumen such that at least a portion of the extension of the flexible planar substrate is disposed in the internal lumen. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein the extension of the flexible planar substrate is wrapped along a most distal portion of the cylindrical member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein the extension of the flexible planar substrate is wrapped radially into a most distal portion of the cylindrical member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein an electronic component is electrically coupled between the plurality of microelectrode elements and the plurality of wire lead contacts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The implantable neurological probe of claim 4, wherein the electronic component comprises a router that is programmable to selectively couple the plurality of microelectrode elements to the plurality of wire lead contacts. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member is configured for insertion into a human body using an accepted procedure for insertion of deep brain stimulation leads. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein the outside diameter of the cylindrical member is about 1.27 mm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of microelectrode elements is shaped substantially different from another microelectrode element of the plurality of microelectrode elements. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of microelectrode elements is a stimulating electrode and at least one of the plurality of microelectrode elements is a detecting electrode; and/or optionally wherein the at least one stimulating electrode is shaped substantially different from the at least one detecting electrode; and/or optionally wherein the at least one of the stimulating electrode and the detecting electrode comprises a plurality of electrically conducting sub-elements; and/or optionally wherein the at least one of the stimulating electrode and the detecting electrode comprises a tetrode arrangement of electrically conducting sub-elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein the plurality of microelectrode elements are configured as a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS). ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein each microelectrode element of the plurality of microelectrode elements is cylindrical. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein each microelectrode element of the plurality of microelectrode elements is rectangular. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein each microelectrode element of the plurality of microelectrode elements is rectangular with rounded corners. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, further comprising at least one electronic circuit element coupled with the substrate; and/or optionally wherein the at least one electronic circuit element is selected from the group consisting of: a switch; a router; an amplifier; a controller; a microprocessor; memory; a multiplexer; a filter; an attenuator; a resistor; a capacitor; an inductor; a diode; a transistor; and combinations thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein a height of at least one of the plurality of wire lead contacts is less than 1 mm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical member is flexible; and/or optionally wherein the internal lumen is open at a proximal end; and/or optionally wherein at least one of the conductive traces extends along a substantial portion of the cylindrical member, without interfering with the open ended internal lumen. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The implantable neurological probe of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires are wrapped around a second cylindrical member disposed in the internal lumen of the cylindrical member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method for stimulating a neurological target comprising: implanting the implantable neurological probe of claim 1 within a vicinity of a neurological target site; and connecting at least one of the plurality of wire lead contacts to a neurological stimulation source supplying an electrical signal; and energizing, by the supplied electrical signal, one or more of the microelectrode elements, wherein the one or more energized microelectrode elements produce an electric field adapted to stimulate the neurological target site. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein implanting further comprises: inserting a substantially rigid stylet into the internal lumen of the cylindrical member to provide temporary rigidity to the cylindrical member; inserting the cylindrical member along a trajectory toward the neurological target site; positioning a distal end of the neurological probe within the vicinity of the neurological target site; removing the stylet; and selectively stimulating the neurological target site using at least one of the plurality of microelectrode elements. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the act of positioning the distal end of the neurological probe comprises recording neurological activity detected by at least one of the plurality of microelectrode elements and repositioning the distal end of the neurological probe as required, until the recorded activity is indicative of the distal end of the elongated shaft being located sufficiently close to the neurological target site. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the act of selectively stimulating comprises applying a stimulation signal to at least one of the plurality of wire lead contacts; and/or optionally wherein the stimulation signal is obtained from an implanted pulse generator; and/or optionally further comprising selecting at least one of the plurality of microelectrode elements, the at least one selected microelectrode being energized by the supplied electrical signal. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) An implantable neurological probe kit comprising: the implantable neurological probe of claim 1; and a stylet configured for removable insertion into the internal lumen of the cylindrical member, to keep the cylindrical member substantially rigid during insertion into biological tissue.