Improved Electrode Material for High-Density Closed-Loop DBS.

AbstractIn the United Statesoverdeep brain stimulationDBSdevices have been implanted to date for treatment of basic tremorParkinson s disease and dystoniaand clinical trials are underway to evaluate indications for chronic painsevere depressionmigraines and dementiaDBS devices belong to a class of devices called implantable electrical stimulatorsand close toMillion of these devices are implanted annuallyWhile effective in many casesDBS shows limited effectiveness in others and also has side effectsPreclinical studies predict that DBS arrays comprised of many densely packedsmall electrodes can more precisely target specific regions of the brain to improve therapyFurtherincorporating some electrodes which can provide sensory feedbackclosed loopmay be able to improve therapy efficiency and effectivenessThese discoveries are motivating the neuromodulation industry to develop smallerless invasive electrodesHowevercurrent electrode materials do not support small sizes without severely restricting the stimulus outputHencean improved electrode material will benefit present and future DBS systemsPlatinum Group Coatings LLC has developed a cost effective and materials efficient process for applying an ultra low impedance platinum iridium alloy coating onto the contacts of DBS stimulator and cortical recording electrodesThis programin collaboration with University of Minnesotaseeks to validate the performance advantages of this coating when applied to a novelflex circuit electrode array for DBSSpecificallyPtIr coated thin film electrodes will be tested in bi directionali estimulation and sensingmodalities to assess efficacy as well as material safety and stability in a non human primate model of Parkinson s diseaseThis phase II research will seek to determine the durability and longevity of Pt Ir coating on thin film high density DBS electrodes used bi directionally to assess the long term recording and stimulation performance of the coatings in vivo