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.
Medical needle insertion procedures possess the risk of life-threatening blood vessel rapture. Here we report a compact laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) based system that has a potential of blood vessel detection in the vicinity of the moving needle. The developed LDF system comprises two optical fibers inserted into the needle (the probe), a laser unit and a photodetector. The latter collects the signal produced by photons, scattered from the moving red blood cells that is further converted into perfusion value. Using LDF system, we have been able to detect the flow independently from the needle penetration angle, site or depth. Moreover, we showed that the blood vessel can be identified inside the tissue phantom while the probe is moving. Our results demonstrate that the developed LDF system is flexible and compatible with different types of needles and thus has a potential in the needle insertion procedures.
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