Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) helps patients with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease by sending electrical signals to targeted brain areas. Traditional DBS surgery uses one device to map brain activity and another to deliver treatment. This means multiple insertions into the brain, longer surgery, and higher risks of bleeding, infection, and surgical complications.
This new hybrid DBS electrode does both jobs at once. It includes a retractable microelectrode for recording and multiple clinical electrodes for stimulation all within one cable. The surgeon can map, test, and treat in a single procedure. Once mapping is done, the microelectrode is removed, leaving the stimulation lead in place. This reduces surgery time, lowers risks, and improves placement accuracy for better patient outcomes.
This image shows a cross-sectional and side view of the proposed DBS electrode. The central element (a) is a microelectrode used for intraoperative mapping and neuron signal recording. Surrounding it are (b) low-impedance clinical electrodes for delivering therapeutic stimulation. The outer ring (c) is an insulating sheath that maintains structural integrity and electrical isolation. This hybrid design allows for both precise mapping and stimulation in a single surgical step, reducing time and improving targeting accuracy.