Probeanchor

Probeanchor is a term used in neuroscience and biomedical engineering to describe a mechanism or family of devices that secure implanted probes or sensors to biological tissue, aiming to stabilize recordings and minimize tissue movement. In practice, a probeanchor can refer to components that anchor neural probes to the skull, dura, or cortical surface, or to micro-scale fixation features integrated into the probe assembly itself. The overarching goal is to reduce micromotion between the brain and the implanted hardware, which can degrade signal quality and cause tissue damage over time.

Designs of probeanchor systems vary widely. Common elements include biocompatible materials such as titanium, PEEK, or medical-grade polymers, sometimes with radiopaque markers for imaging. Mechanical anchors may take the form of skull-mounted rings, dural tacks, clamp-like clips, or custom fixation posts that interface with the probe carrier. Some approaches rely on adhesives or suturing to secure flexible arrays, while others use rigid backings and configurable clamps to distribute stress away from delicate tissue. Compatibility with imaging modalities and surgical workflows is an important consideration in design.

Applications of probeanchor technology span chronic neural recording, brain-computer interface research, and clinical electrophysiology. By providing stable, long-term fixation, probeanchors support high-quality data collection from intracortical microelectrode arrays and other implanted sensing or stimulating devices, contributing to more reliable signal acquisition and reduced tissue response.

See also: neural probe, microelectrode array, brain-computer interface.