The issue with embedding an entire gathering of connected electrodes lies in the way that a generally enormous part of the skull must be taken out (and afterward supplanted) simultaneously. Obviously, it would be greatly improved if simply a little opening would do the trick. [2]

Figure 1. Flexible Electrode Array. [1]

Figure 1 shows the flexible electrode array. With that challenge in mind, scientists at Switzerland's EPFL research institute designed an "inflatable" electrode array made of a soft biocompatible elastomer, with six spiral-shaped arms that spread out like the petals of a twisted flower. Each arm has multiple gold electrodes on its underside. [2]

Initially, the deflated device is folded up inside-out within a cylindrical tube. The end of that tube is then inserted into the 1-mm space between the brain and the skull, through a 2-cm (0.8-inch)-wide hole in the skull. An innocuous liquid is then pumped into the array, causing each of its arms to sequentially inflate and gently pop into shape inside the skull. [2]

When the process is complete, the flower-shaped array covers a 4-cm (1.6-in) wide area of the brain's cortex, even though it went through a hole just half that size. And because the arms of the array turn right-side-out as they're inflated, the electrodes on their underside make full contact with the brain tissue. [2]

A version of this soft robot has been successfully tested in a miniature pig and could be scaled up for human testing in the future. The researchers plan to eventually scale up the soft robot for human testing through a spinoff start-up called Neurosoft Bioelectronics. [3]

References:

1. https://actu.epfl.ch/news/deployable-electrodes-for-minimally-invasive-crani/
2. https://newatlas.com/medical/soft-robotic-brain-electrode-array/
3. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2373099-robot-injected-in-the-skull-spreads-its-tentacles-to-monitor-the-brain/

Cite this article:

Hana M (2023), New Flexible Electrode Array for Providing Minimally Invasive Solutions for Epileptic Patients., AnaTechmaz, pp.428