The “curved lead pathway” method to enable a single lead to reach any two intracranial targets

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation is an effective way to treat movement disorders, and a powerful research tool for exploring brain functions. This report proposes a “curved lead pathway” method for lead implantation, such that a single lead can reach in sequence to any two intracranial targets. A new type of stereotaxic system for implanting a curved lead to the brain of human/primates was designed, the auxiliary device needed for this method to be used in rat/mouse was fabricated and verified in rat, and the Excel algorithm used for automatically calculating the necessary parameters was implemented. This “curved lead pathway” method of lead implantation may complement the current method, make lead implantation for multiple targets more convenient, and expand the experimental techniques of brain function research.

Safety and feasibility of curved lead simultaneously implanted into pedunculopontine nucleus and subthalamic nucleus

“…With the aid of the novel stereotaxic system and the automatic calculation algorithm for the “curved lead pathway”, [ 5 , 6 ] we successfully implanted the curved lead to both STN and PPN in a rat model. The similar functional outcomes between curved lead group and straight lead group revealed that the curved lead passing through STN and located at PPN is feasible and safe.…”