Intraluminal microneurography probes and related systems and methods
Inventors
Shimada, Jin • Puryear, Harry • Brucker, Gregory
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12350050-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
Certain embodiments described herein relate to a system for use in analyzing neural activity of nerves surrounding a biological lumen. The system includes a probe body, electrodes, a stimulator, and an amplifier. The stimulator delivers electrical stimulation via a first pair of the electrodes, supported by the probe body, to test for an evoked neural response by nerves surrounding the biological lumen. The amplifier includes a pair of input terminals, an output terminal, and a ground reference terminal. A second pair of the electrodes is electrically coupled to the pair of input terminals of the amplifier, to thereby enable the amplifier to produce the sensed signal indicative of the evoked neural response. A remaining one of the electrodes, which is not included in the first and the second pairs of the electrodes, is electrically coupled to the ground reference terminal of the amplifier.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention is a system for analyzing neural activity of nerves that surround a biological lumen. The system includes a probe body configured to be introduced into the biological lumen and a plurality of electrodes supported by the probe body and electrically isolated from one another. A stimulator is electrically coupled to the electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation via a first pair of electrodes to evoke neural activity by the nerves that surround the biological lumen, while an amplifier produces a sensed signal indicative of evoked neural activity and/or intrinsic neural activity.
The amplifier includes input terminals, an output terminal, and a ground reference terminal, and electrodes in a second pair are electrically coupled to the amplifier input terminals. A remaining electrode is electrically coupled to the ground reference terminal of the amplifier, and the axial distances between defined electrodes are within specified ranges, including an axial distance between E1 and E2 within 1 cm to 6 cm inclusive and specified axial distances along the probe in deployed position for electrodes E3 and related electrodes.
Further embodiments include deployable electrode configurations in which at least one of the electrodes used for sensing is selectively transitionable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position. When deployed, a portion of a deployable electrode extends away from the probe body such that an outer circumference of the deployable electrode contacts at least a portion of an inner circumference of the biological lumen. In additional configurations, electrode routing is implemented with first switches and second switches that select electrode connections between the stimulator and the amplifier input terminals in different configurations, while maintaining a ground reference electrode electrically coupled to the amplifier ground reference terminal.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims. Across these independent claims, the main inventive features focus on a multi-electrode intraluminal probe system with isolated electrodes, stimulation to evoke neural activity, amplifier sensing of evoked and/or intrinsic neural activity with a defined ground coupling electrode, specified axial electrode spacing, and deployable sensing electrodes and/or switch-based electrode routing.
Intraluminal multi-electrode stimulation-and-sensing system with ground-coupled electrode and defined axial spacing
A probe body configured to be introduced into the biological lumen; a plurality of electrically isolated electrodes supported by the probe body; a stimulator configured to deliver electrical stimulation via a first pair of electrodes to evoke neural activity; an amplifier configured to produce a sensed signal indicative of evoked and/or intrinsic neural activity; the amplifier including input terminals, an output terminal, and a ground reference terminal; where a second pair of electrodes is electrically coupled to the input terminals to enable the amplifier to produce the sensed signal; at least one electrode in the second pair is not included in the first pair; and a remaining electrode is electrically coupled to the ground reference terminal; and wherein axial distances between defined electrodes are within specified ranges.
Deployable sensing electrodes contacting the inner circumference with specified axial spacing near an organ
A probe body configured to be introduced into the biological lumen near an organ; a plurality of electrodes supported by the probe body and electrically isolated from one another; a stimulator configured to deliver electrical stimulation via electrodes to evoke neural activity; an amplifier configured to produce a sensed signal indicative of evoked and/or intrinsic neural activity; the amplifier including input terminals, an output terminal, and a ground reference terminal; where sensing electrodes are electrically coupled to the input terminals and a ground electrode is electrically coupled to the ground reference terminal; wherein electrodes comprise a deployable electrode selectively transitioned between a non-deployed position and a deployed position, and when in the deployed position at least a portion of the deployable electrode extends away from the probe body such that an outer circumference of the deployable electrode contacts at least a portion of an inner circumference of the biological lumen; and wherein axial distances between defined electrodes are within specified ranges.
Switch-selected electrode routing for stimulation and sensing in a seven-electrode axially ordered probe
A probe body configured to be introduced into the biological lumen; a plurality of electrodes including electrodes E1-E7 electrically isolated from one another and supported by the probe body, axially spaced apart from one another in that order; a stimulator electrically coupled and configured to deliver electrical stimulation via a selected two of the electrodes to evoke neural activity; an amplifier configured to produce a sensed signal indicative of evoked and/or intrinsic neural activity; the amplifier including input terminals, an output terminal, and a ground reference terminal; first switches that enable selection between connecting electrodes to the stimulator in a first configuration and connecting other electrodes to the stimulator in a second configuration; second switches that enable selection between connecting electrodes to the input terminals of the amplifier in a first configuration and connecting other electrodes to the amplifier in a second configuration; and wherein an electrode is electrically coupled to the ground reference terminal of the amplifier.
Collectively, the independent claims define an intraluminal system that delivers electrical stimulation using one electrode pair to evoke neural activity and uses an amplifier connected to a separate electrode pair to sense evoked and/or intrinsic neural activity, with a distinct electrode electrically coupled to amplifier ground. The claims further specify axial spacing ranges and, in other independent coverage, require deployable sensing electrodes that contact the inner circumference or switch-based electrode routing in an axially ordered multi-electrode probe.
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