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US3841310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrode insertion device for neuroelectrical recordings
Assignee: United States Department of Health and Human Services
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Filing: 1973-04-04
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An electrode insertion device is disclosed capable of atraumatically obtaining single cell neuroelectrical recordings from an exposed pulsating human cortex. The electrode insertion device comprises an electrode disposed within a sleeve which, in turn, is mounted in a frictionless manner by means of fluid bearings in a fixed housing. The electrode protrudes a desired distance from the sleeve for insertion into the cortex, the sleeve and the electrode therein ''''riding'''' or floating on the surface of the brain cortex, thereby continuously maintaining the electrode tip next to a nerve cell in spite of the pulsatile motion of the cortex. Counterbalancing means comprising a gravity-operated variable pressure valve together with a piston attached to the sleeve are provided in the housing to reduce the contact force on the cortex surface effected by the weight of the sleeve and the electrode. The counterbalancing means automatically compensates for variations in electrode orientation with respect to vertical. A mechanism including a plurality of fins mounted and constrained within a second set of frictionless fluid bearings contained in a rotating block is further provided whereby the protrusion of the electrode can be adjusted in a frictionless manner and so as not to interfere with the free upand-down floating movement thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 S Goldstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/40; A61B5/4058; A61B5/4064; A61B5/24; A61B5/25; A61B5/279; A61B5/291; A61B5/293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An electrode insertion device for atraumatically obtaining single cell neuroelectrical recordings from an exposed pulsating cortex, said device comprising: an electrode adapted for insertion into the cortex of a patient; an elongated holder means for supporting and positioning said electrode therein such that said electrode protrudes a selected distance from an end thereof, said selected distance being representative of the desired depth of penetration of said electrode into the cortex, said end of said holder means defining a contact area for disposition on the surface of the cortex; a housing means for said elongated electrode holder means adapted in use to be maintained in a relatively stationary position with respect to the cranium of the patient above the area of electrode insertion, said housing means having bearing assembly means for supporting said electrode holder means and said electrode therein in a substantially frictionless manner for free up-and-down movement with respect thereto along the longitudinal axis of said holder means; and means for connecting the electrode to an external device; whereby said electrode means and said electrode therein freely follow the pulsatile movement of the cortex during recording.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An electrode insertion device for atraumatically obtaining single cell neuroelectrical recordings from an exposed pulsating cortex, said device comprising: an electrode adapted for insertion into the cortex of a patient; an elongated holder means for supporting and positioning said electrode therein such that said electrode protrudes a selected distance from an end thereof, said selected distance being representative of the desired depth of penetration of said electrode into the cortex, said end of said holder means defining a contact area for disposition on the surface of the cortex; a housing means for said elongated electrode holder means adapted in use to be maintained in a relatively stationary position with respect to the cranium of the patient above the area of electrode insertion, said housing means having bearing assembly means for supporting said electrode holder means and said electrode therein in a substantially frictionless manner for free up-and-down movement with respect thereto along the longitudinal axis of said holder means; and means for connecting the electrode to an external device; whereby said electrode means and said electrode therein freely follow the pulsatile movement of the cortex during recording.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as defined in claim 1, further including a counterbalancing means for applying an upward force to said electrode holder means to compensate for the weight thereof, irrespective of vertical orientation of said electrode holder means, whereby the contact force of said holder means on the cortex surface is minimized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said electrode holder means further includes adjusting means for adjusting in a frictionless manner the selected distance of protrusion of said electrode therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said bearing assembly means of said housing comprises a series of fluid journal bearings disposed about said elongated electrode holder means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said counterbalancing means comprises a fluid piston assembly coupled to said electrode holder means, and a fluid pressure generator means for actuating said piston assembly with a controlled pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said fLuid generator means provides a controlled pressure to said fluid piston assembly which automatically varies to compensate for changes in the normal component of said electrode holder weight effected by varying positions of said housing means with respect to the cranium of the patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said electrode holder means comprises an encircling sleeve disposed about said electrode, said electrode protruding from a surface thereof, which surface defines said cortical contacting area of said holder means, said sleeve being disposed for up-anddown movement in a cylindrical bore in said housing means with said fluid journal bearings being placed adjacent said bore in surrounding relationship with respect to said sleeve; said piston assembly comprising a piston disposed about said sleeve in said bore and an opening in said bore at a location below that of said piston communicating with said fluid pressure generator means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said fluid pressure generator means constitutes a gravity-operated variable pressure valve disposed in housing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrode holder means further includes adjusting means for adjusting in a frictionless manner the selected distance of protrusion of said electrode therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device as defined in claim 9, wherein said electrode holder means includes a sleeve disposed about said electrode with said electrode protruding therefrom, and wherein said adjusting means comprises a rotary lead screw coupled between said electrode and said sleeve, and means to prevent rotation of said sleeve and said electrode therein when said lead screw is rotated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said adjusting means further comprises a plurality of fins attached to said lead screw, said fins being mounted and constrained within a further set of frictionless fluid bearings contained in a rotation block, rotation of said block effecting rotation of said lead screw and advancement of said electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said means to prevent rotation of said sleeve and said electrode therein when said lead screw is rotated, comprises a plurality of fins attached to said sleeve, said fins being mounted and constrained within a further set of frictionless fluid bearings contained in said stationary block disposed within said housing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |