High frequency electrical stimulation of deep brain structures such as the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease or thalamus for essential tremor is used clinically to reduce symptom severity. Deep brain stimulation activates neurons in specific brain structures and connection pathways, overriding aberrant neural activity associated with symptoms. While optimal deep brain stimulation might activate a particular neural structure precisely, existing deep brain stimulation can only generate roughly-spherical regions of activation that do not overlap with any target anatomy. Additionally, side effects linked to stimulation may be the result of limited control over placement of stimulation and its subsequent spread out of optimal target boundaries. We propose a novel lead with thousands of individually controllable contacts capable of asymmetric stimulation profiles. Here we outline the design motivation, manufacturing process, and initial testing of this new electrode design, placing it on track for further directional stimulation studies.

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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) alleviates the symptoms of some neurological disorders by stimulating specific neural targets. If electrodes are placed off target, DBS amplitude must be decreased to avoid side effects induced by stimulating other neural regions. We present a novel electrode geometry capable of radial charge steering. Computational modeling results show that radial charge steering will allow this new electrode to constrain stimulation within target boundaries, despite surgical placement error, thus reducing side-effects from over stimulation.

The ability to stimulate, block, and record peripheral nerve activity with greater specificity, resolution, and fidelity can enable more precise spatiotemporal control and measurement of neural circuits.