A Comprehensive Experimental Study on the Biomechanics of Deep Brain Stimulation

During Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), a radiofrequency (RF) probe is inserted into select brain regions to treat Parkinson's disease. Understanding the interaction dynamics between the probe and brain tissue during insertion and removal is critical for improving accuracy. This comprehensive experimental study is designed to explore these interactions, focusing on the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) between the RF probes and a 1.5% w/w agar gel. A load cell-equipped RF probe is inserted into the gel block and then removed at varying speeds. The mechanical properties of the gel were evaluated using Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE). The reaction forces generated during the process were captured and analyzed. High-speed imaging was used to visualize the opening and closing of the probe channel. This revealed variations in channel diameter at different depths and removal speeds. Using Digital Image Correlation (DIC), agar deformation data was collected at different cross-sections. This investigation provides crucial insights into the FSI between RF probes and soft gels. The findings lay the groundwork for future DBS studies involving actual brain tissue. Ultimately, the knowledge gained from this research could improve DBS procedure accuracy, leading to better patient outcomes.