Abstract
Minimally invasive implantation of subdural electrodes can dramatically benefit the patients with various neurological diseases. In modern clinical practice, the implantation procedure of the electrode arrays remains traumatic for patients and increases postoperative infection risk. Here we report a design and insertion technique of thermally activated shape-memory polymer-based electrode array that can recover up to ten times length deformation. The compressed four-centimeter wide array can be easily packed into a three-millimeter diameter tube and subsequently deployed thought five-millimeter opening in a restricted space between a brain phantom and a simulated skull. The mechanical properties of the developed array are comparable to the materials traditionally employed for the purpose, and the electrical and signal recording properties are preserved after shape deformation and recovery. Additionally, the array is biocompatible and exhibits conformability to a curvy brain surface. The results demonstrate that insertion of the electrode array through a small hole into a restricted space similar to subdural cavity is possible, which may inspire future solution of minimal invasive implantation for patients suffering from epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or tetraplegia.
Highlights
Invasive implantation of subdural electrodes can dramatically benefit the patients with wide classesThis paragraph of the first footnote will contain the date on which you submitted your paper for review
The mask was removed, and the electrodes were covered with Ecoflex elastomer (00-20, Smooth-On) by drop casting method as a hiding mask in order to protect them from insulation
Journal into a restrict space through a small hole, where both the height of the space and the diameter of the hole is near an order of magnitude smaller than the electrodes
Summary
This paragraph of the first footnote will contain the date on which you submitted your paper for review. We report a design and insertion technique of thermally activated SMP-based electrode array, that can be successfully deployed into a simulated subdural space between a brain phantom and a simulated skull, while preserving the electrical measurement capability. This is a feasibility study focusing on the insertion mechanism, where the main goal is to evaluate if an active material such as SMP can achieve insertion through a thin tube into a confined space where both the diameter of the tube and the thickness of the space are near an order of magnitude smaller than the electrode itself. The PCLSMP network exhibits melting temperature (Tm) transition starting at 45°C and good shape-memory properties with fixity and shape recovery ratio >98%. [18] The PCLSMP has high elastomeric properties, where the strain deformation before breaking is up to 600%. [19]
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