Following the appearance of several promising reports in the medical literature, the use of pallidotomy and thalamotomy for treatment of Parkinson's Disease-related movement disorders has steadily increased in the past few years. The resurgence in these two neurosurgical techniques can be attributed to a better understanding of basal ganglia pathophysiology and development of more reliable and accurate stereotactic, microlesioning, and brain mapping techniques. Our goal is to build and test an intracranial microelectrode system which incorporates three key components: (1) a trimodal (i.e., recording, stimulation, lesion) microelectrode coated with biocompatible insulating materials, (2) appropriate electronics for the control of the trimodal microelectrode, and (3) micropositioning elements. By combining recording, stimulation and lesioning functions with bio- compatible technology and materials, the trimodal microrelectrodes will access target brain areas with less damage to healthy tissue. Micro- electrode function will be simplified by integrating each mode into a single control module. The system will include custom-designed micropositioners. This approach will provide a degree of safety, accuracy and facility not currently available by simplifying surgical mapping calculations and minimizing component switching error. Offering all these features in a single package will allow its pricing to be very competitive and make its clinical use more cost effective.

Proposed Commercial Applications

Proposed Commercial Applications

not available.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44NS036878-03
Application #
2892347
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-NEUA (01))
Program Officer
Oliver, Eugene J
Project Start
1997-08-15
Project End
2002-06-30
Budget Start
1999-07-01
Budget End
2002-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Fhc, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
108179458
City
Bowdoin
State
ME
Country
United States
Zip Code
04287