Patent ID: 8315686

Claim:
An electrode array assembly for providing electrical communication with tissue including dura mater which is within a cranium having a thickness, a recess therein, a layer of the cranium, a plurality of through holes in the cranium and an outer lamella layer of the cranium, the assembly comprising: a base having an outer surface and having a structure enabling the base to be received in the recess formed in the cranium, the recess having a shape which is complementary to the base and a depth for the base which is less than the thickness of the cranium such that the layer of the cranium is provided between the base and the tissue and the outer surface of the base having a smooth transition with the outer lamella layer exposed to an environment outside the cranium; a plurality of electrode assemblies mounted directly underneath and to the base, each electrode assembly mounted at a respective first end to the base and extending in a generally outward direction away from the base toward a respective second end, each individual one of the electrode assemblies having a structure to be received within a respective one of the plurality of through holes in the layer of the cranium provided between the base and the tissue, thereby providing a substantial fit for each of the electrode assemblies to the respective one of the plurality of through holes and each electrode assembly including a conductive element for providing electrical communication between a respective portion of the tissue and a respective electrical conductor associated with the base and corresponding to the respective electrode assembly.