A neural interface

Abstract

The present application belongs to the field of neural interface technology, and provides a neural interface, including at least one microneedle body and a flexible substrate, wherein the microneedle body is bound on the flexible substrate. The present application provides a neural interface, including at least one microneedle body and a flexible substrate, wherein the microneedle body is bound on the flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate is deformable under the action of external force, so as to better fit the surface of the meninges, and enable the microneedle to better avoid brain blood vessels, reduce implant damage, and at the same time ensure the reading of a single nerve action potential.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of neural interfaces, and specifically to a neural interface. Background Art

[0002] Neural interfaces can be used to establish a connection between a person (or animal) and an external device. In the case of a unidirectional neural interface, the computer either receives information from nerve cells or sends signals to the brain (e.g. video reconstruction), but cannot send and receive signals at the same time. Bidirectional neural interfaces allow bidirectional information exchange between the brain and external devices.

[0003] In neural interfaces, it is often necessary to obtain neuronal signals through the neural interface, but the base of the neural interface cannot be well attached to the surface of the pia mater. Summary of the invention

[0004] The main purpose of this application is to propose a neural interface with a flexible substrate that can be deformed under the action of external forces, so that it can better fit the surface of the meninges and at the same time ensure the readout of single neural action potentials.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, according to one aspect of the present application, the present application provides the following technical solution: a neural interface is provided, comprising at least one microneedle body and a flexible substrate, wherein the microneedle body is bound on the flexible substrate.

[0006] Furthermore, when there are multiple microneedle bodies, a microneedle array is formed on a flexible substrate, wherein the microneedle bodies are electrodes with needle-like structures, or the microneedle bodies are patch-type electrodes.

[0007] Furthermore, the flexible substrate has a hollow portion.

[0008] Furthermore, the flexible substrate is circular, elliptical, polygonal or fan-shaped.

[0009] Further, when the flexible substrate is circular, the flexible substrate includes a plurality of annular regions.

[0010] Furthermore, the microneedle body is arranged on the annular area.

[0011] Furthermore, the number of microneedles on the outer ring region is greater than the number of microneedles on the inner ring region.

[0012] Furthermore, the flexible substrate includes at least two partitions, and there is a gap between adjacent partitions.

[0013] Furthermore, the material forming the flexible substrate includes silica gel, PDMS, polyimide or bacterial cellulose.

[0014] Furthermore, the neural interface also includes an integrated circuit chip, the microneedle body is bound on the front side of the flexible substrate, and the integrated circuit chip is arranged on the back side of the flexible substrate.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] The present application provides a neural interface, comprising at least one microneedle body and a flexible substrate, wherein the microneedle body is bound to the flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate is deformable under the action of external force, so as to better fit the surface of the meninges and at the same time ensure the reading of a single neural action potential. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present application and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. In each of the drawings, similar components are numbered similarly.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a neural interface proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of another neural interface proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of another neural interface proposed in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the microneedle body proposed in the embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the indium pillar connected to the integrated circuit chip proposed in the embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Among them, 1-microneedle body, 2-flexible substrate, 21-annular area, 3-partition, 4-connecting part, 5-body electrode point, 6-connecting line, 7-indium column, 8-contact electrode, 9-polycrystalline gate, and 10-silicon substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0025] The components of the embodiments of the present application generally described and shown in the drawings herein may be arranged and designed in various configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the application claimed for protection, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0026] Hereinafter, the terms "including", "having" and their cognates, which may be used in various embodiments of the present application, are intended only to indicate specific features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing items, and should not be understood as first excluding the existence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing items or adding the possibility of one or more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of the foregoing items.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are merely used for distinguishing descriptions and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the various embodiments of the present application belong. The terms (such as those defined in generally used dictionaries) will be interpreted as having the same meanings as the contextual meanings in the relevant technical field and will not be interpreted as having idealized meanings or overly formal meanings unless clearly defined in the various embodiments of the present application.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides a neural interface, which includes at least one microneedle body 1 and a flexible substrate 2, wherein the microneedle body 1 is bound on the flexible substrate 2. The microneedle body 1 is provided with at least one body electrode point, and the body electrode point is used to collect neural signals.

[0031] The flexible substrate 2 is made of a flexible material, wherein the flexible material includes silica gel, PDMS, polyimide or bacterial cellulose.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the flexible substrate 2 has a hollow portion to improve the flexibility of the flexible substrate 2 .

[0033] In this embodiment, the flexible substrate 2 is circular, elliptical, polygonal or sector-shaped.

[0034] In actual application scenarios, there are multiple microneedle bodies 1 , and the multiple microneedle bodies 1 are arranged along a preset regular pattern to form a microneedle array on the flexible substrate 2 .

[0035] Wherein, the neural interface is a semi-invasive neural interface, the microneedle body 1 can be a needle-shaped structure, the neural interface is also a non-invasive neural interface, and the microneedle body 1 can also be a patch electrode. This application mainly illustrates the needle-shaped electrode, and the setting method of the patch electrode is the same as that of the microneedle body with a needle structure, and is not illustrated separately here.

[0036] When the flexible substrate 2 is circular, the flexible substrate 2 includes a plurality of annular regions 21, and the microneedle bodies 1 are arranged on the annular regions 21. The annular regions 21 can be divided into an outer annular region and an inner annular region based on the distance between the annular region 21 and the center of the circle of the flexible substrate 2. The number of microneedle bodies 1 on the outer annular region is greater than the number of microneedle bodies 1 on the inner annular region. For at least two annular regions 21, the outer annular region is an annular region 21 farther from the center of the circle, and the inner annular region is an area closer to the center of the circle.

[0037] In an optional embodiment, the number of microneedles 1 on the outer ring region is greater than the number of microneedles 1 on the inner ring region.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, in an optional embodiment, the flexible substrate 2 includes at least two partitions, there is a gap between adjacent partitions, and different partitions are independent of each other, which can avoid ridges and wrinkles generated when the flexible substrate 2 is attached to tissues and organs, eliminate the friction discomfort between the organ groups, and facilitate the insertion and fixation of the microneedle body 1.

[0039] Optionally, at least two of the microneedle bodies 1 have different lengths to form a staggered microneedle array, for example, the length of the microneedle body 1 close to the geometric center of the flexible substrate 2 is greater than the length of the microneedle body 1 away from the geometric center of the flexible substrate 2, or the length of the microneedle body 1 close to the geometric center of the flexible substrate 2 is not greater than the length of the microneedle body 1 away from the geometric center of the flexible substrate 2.

[0040] This embodiment provides a neural interface, including at least one microneedle body and a flexible substrate, wherein the microneedle body is restrained on the flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate is deformable under the action of external force, so that it can better fit the surface of the meninges, and enable the microneedle to better avoid brain blood vessels, reduce implant damage, and at the same time ensure the reading of single nerve action potentials.

[0041] Example 2

[0042] like Figure 1As shown, the present application provides a neural interface, comprising at least one microneedle body 1 and a flexible substrate 2, wherein the microneedle body 1 is bounded on the flexible substrate 2.

[0043] In an optional embodiment, the flexible substrate 2 is disc-shaped. When there are multiple microneedle bodies 1, the multiple microneedle bodies 1 can be arranged along the diameter direction of the disc to form a microneedle array, wherein the distribution of the microneedle bodies 1 gradually becomes sparse along the direction away from the geometric center of the flexible substrate. Since the flexible substrate 2 is made of a flexible material, the flexible substrate 2 can be deformed. During actual use, an external force can be applied to the flexible substrate according to the specific structure of the target position, so that the flexible substrate is deformed to ensure that the flexible substrate is well attached to the target position, which can increase the implantation depth of the body electrode and collect signals from deeper nerve cells. At the same time, it can also avoid damage to the tissue caused by rigid components. Among them, the flexible material can be silicone, PDMS, polyimide or bacterial cellulose, etc.

[0044] In one of the optional embodiments, the microneedle body 1 is comb-shaped, and the microneedle body includes at least one body electrode, and at least one body electrode point is arranged on the body electrode. The body electrode is inserted into a nerve cell, and the body electrode point 5 contacts the nerve cell, and can read nerve signals or perform weak current stimulation on the nerve cell. In other embodiments, the microneedle body 1 may also include only one body electrode. In this case, the concept of the microneedle body and the body electrode is the same.

[0045] In one of the optional embodiments, the neural interface also includes an integrated circuit chip, which processes the data of the collected electrical potentials of nerve cells and transmits it outside the body, or processes the visual, auditory, tactile and other sensory signals collected outside the body to form electrical potentials that stimulate brain nerve cells, so that the human body can reconstruct vision, hearing and touch.

[0046] The flexible substrate further includes a connecting portion arranged at the edge, which may be in the shape of an elongated strip. The integrated circuit chip is arranged on the connecting portion 4. When in use, the microneedle body 1 is inserted into the neural tissue, the flexible substrate 2 is attached to the surface of the target position (for example, the surface of the pia mater), and the integrated circuit chip is placed outside the target position.

[0047] In one of the optional embodiments, the integrated circuit chip can also be connected through the connecting part 4 and placed in another location that is not in contact with or adjacent to the microneedle array structure. During the signal acquisition and reading and writing process, the integrated circuit chip will generate a certain amount of heat, which may affect the stimulation response of the nerve tissue and cause inaccurate potential signals. After placing the integrated circuit chip elsewhere through the connecting part 4, this problem can be basically avoided.

[0048] Compared with the traditional flexible patch electrodes attached to the surface of the brain pia mater, which can only extract brain cluster signals, the neural interface microneedle array provided by this application can read visual single neuron signals more accurately, and can select the working area and number of microneedles according to the signal stimulation area, with lower energy consumption. Compared with the rigid microneedle array, which causes greater damage to brain tissue and cannot be implanted for a long time, the microneedle array of this application can fit well according to the shape of the tissue and organ targeted by the neural signal acquisition, and will not produce frictional abnormalities, which will reduce implant damage to brain tissue and can be implanted in human tissue for a long time.

[0049] Example 3

[0050] In this embodiment, the present application provides another neural interface that can be used as an artificial retina to enable people with damaged or detached retinas to have visual perception functions. The artificial retina microneedle array structure made of a flexible substrate 2 does not need to customize the binding material of the microneedle body 1 in advance according to the size of the eyeball of the visually impaired person. The flexible substrate 2 is easy to deform, and the microneedle body 1 can be well inserted into the neural tissue of the retina, so that the back of the flexible substrate 2 is concave to form a hemispherical shape, forming a good fit with the eyeball, reducing the friction sensation caused by the rigid binding material.

[0051] In one of the optional embodiments, the disc-shaped flexible substrate 2 has a hollowed-out portion, i.e., a portion that does not need to restrain the microneedle body 1. The hollowed-out position can be set according to the structure of the tissue or organ or the damaged part of the human body. This can reduce the arrangement of unnecessary microneedles 1, reduce power consumption, and reduce the impact of heat dissipation on human tissue. According to one embodiment of the present application, the hollowed-out portion is arranged at the center of the flexible substrate 2, such as Figure 1 As shown, the center of the flexible substrate 2 is hollow and does not restrain the microneedle body 1, which can further enhance the flexibility of the flexible substrate and increase the curvature of the flexible substrate.

[0052] In one of the optional embodiments, the flexible substrate 2 is made of a transparent material, because the degree of damage to the human retina to which the artificial retina is applicable is different. When the retina is completely or partially peeled off due to trauma or disease, the original retina can no longer perform normal imaging functions. At this time, the artificial retina can completely replace the human retina, and the external image information obtained is converted into electrical signals through the integrated circuit chip, and then the body electrode on the microneedle body 1 is used to stimulate the optic nerve and cell axons with a weak current to form the visual sense of the human body. At this time, the external light and image of the eyeball can no longer be imaged on the original retina of the human body. There are no special requirements for the material of the flexible substrate 2 and the position of the hollow part, and non-transparent materials can be used; but when the retina is partially damaged or partially detached, it still has partial visual imaging functions. The hemispherical artificial retina set on the inner surface of the eyeball retina will block the injection of the original light. At this time, the material of the flexible substrate 2 that binds the microneedle body 1 is selected as a transparent material, that is, while realizing the body electrode reading or stimulating the optic nerve or cell axons, it does not hinder some sensory functions of the original retina of the human body.

[0053] Example 4

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, in one of the optional embodiments, the flexible substrate 2 can be composed of at least two partitions 3, and there is a gap between adjacent partitions 3. In the flexible substrate of this structure, each partition 3 can be bent independently and can have a larger deformation amount. Since the disc-shaped neural interface microneedle array of the flexible substrate is used as an artificial retina or other convex tissue structure, the flat structure of the flexible substrate 2 needs to cover the spherical or convex tissue structure, and the flexible substrate 2 will form partial bulges or wrinkles. In particular, when the microneedle body 2 exists in the bulge or wrinkle of the flexible substrate, it is not conducive to the insertion and fixation of the microneedle body 1, which will cause obstacles to the reading of the potential signal. In this embodiment, the disc-shaped flexible substrate 2 is divided into a plurality of sector-shaped partitions 3. When it covers the spherical or convex organ tissue structure, the gaps between the sector-shaped partitions 3 are just compensated, so no bulges or wrinkles will be generated.

[0055] In one of the optional embodiments, the microneedle body 1 is not provided on the edge of the partition 3, and the edges of the flexible substrates of each partition 3 can be overlapped and attached up and down.

[0056] In one of the optional embodiments, the flexible substrate 2 can be cut, and the wires connected to the microneedle body 1 and the body electrode will not be broken due to radial cutting. Therefore, cutting can be performed at appropriate positions according to the tissue and organ structure where the neural interface is placed to eliminate bulges or wrinkles during the coating process of the flexible substrate 2.

[0057] Example 5

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, each microneedle body 1 includes at least one body electrode, on which at least one body electrode point 5 is provided. The body electrode points 5 are independent of each other and can work independently under the control of an integrated circuit chip.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the present application, the microneedle bodies 1 in the neural interface are of equal length; according to another embodiment of the present application, the microneedle bodies 1 are of unequal length and are differentially arranged according to the degree of damage to tissues and organs and the location of signal collection or stimulation to form a multi-contact array with uneven contact points.

[0060] In one of the optional embodiments, the microneedle bodies 1 in the neural interface system are uniformly distributed on the flexible substrate 2; according to another embodiment of the present application, the microneedle bodies 1 are unevenly distributed on the flexible substrate 2, and the distribution density of the microneedle bodies 1 can be set according to needs.

[0061] In one optional embodiment, the neural interface further comprises an external device, wherein the external device comprises a collection unit and a processing unit. The collection unit is used to obtain external sensory signals; and the processing unit is used to convert the sensory signals into stimulation signals for reproducing the sensory organs.

[0062] In one of the optional embodiments, the extracorporeal device further includes a first wireless coil, and a second wireless coil is disposed on the integrated circuit chip side; the first wireless coil is used to send a stimulation signal, and the second wireless coil is used to receive a stimulation signal.

[0063] Example 6

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, the integrated circuit chip is a readout circuit, including a silicon substrate 10, on which contact electrodes 8 and polycrystalline gates 9 are implanted. The silicon substrate is a P-type silicon substrate, and the indium column implanted on the integrated circuit chip 2 is electrically connected to the silicon substrate 7 through a connecting wire 6.

[0065] The present application also discloses a method for preparing a neural interface, comprising the steps of:

[0066] S1. Use standard MEMS processing technology to produce microneedle body;

[0067] S2, processing at least one body electrode on the microneedle body;

[0068] S3, implanting indium pillars on the microneedle body and the integrated circuit chip respectively;

[0069] S4. Bonding the microneedle body implanted with the indium column and the integrated circuit chip to form a microneedle assembly, and binding a plurality of microneedle assemblies together through a flexible substrate to form a microneedle.

[0070] The plurality of body electrodes on the microneedle body 1 are connected to the indium column 7 on the microneedle body 1 through a connecting wire 6, wherein the connecting wire is a metal wire made of a metal material, for example, the connecting wire is made of gold. In an actual application scenario, the body electrode is connected to the first solder joint on the microneedle through the connecting wire 6, and the indium column 7 is arranged on the first solder joint, thereby connecting the body electrode to the integrated circuit chip 2.

[0071] In addition, the body electrode points 5 on the body electrode can be distributed in the same column or in different columns, depending on the width of the body electrode and actual conditions. When the body electrodes are distributed in different columns, the body electrodes in adjacent columns can be staggered.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the present application, the body electrode is used to collect optic nerve signals and transmit the collected optic nerve signals to the integrated circuit chip. On the one hand, the integrated circuit chip is used to receive the optic nerve signals collected by part of the body electrodes, and on the other hand, it can send electrical signals to part of the body electrodes to restore the visual perception function of a person. That is, after the microneedle body 1 is bonded to the integrated circuit chip, the signal input and output functions can be realized, the action potential of a single nerve cell can be read, and weak current stimulation can be realized.

[0073] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the present application. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A neural interface, characterized in that: The invention comprises at least one microneedle body and a flexible substrate, wherein the microneedle body is bound on the flexible substrate, the center of the flexible substrate is hollow, the flexible substrate is divided into at least two partitions, and there is a gap between adjacent partitions, each microneedle body comprises at least one body electrode, and the neural interface further comprises an integrated circuit chip, the microneedle body is bound on the front side of the flexible substrate, the integrated circuit chip is arranged on the back side of the flexible substrate, at least one body electrode point is arranged on the body electrode, and the body electrode points are independent of each other, indium columns are respectively implanted on the microneedle body and the integrated circuit chip, the microneedle body implanted with the indium column and the integrated circuit chip are bonded to form a microneedle assembly, a plurality of microneedle assemblies are bound together by the flexible substrate to form a microneedle, a plurality of body electrodes on the microneedle body are connected to the indium column on the microneedle body by connecting wires, the body electrode is connected to the first solder joint on the microneedle body by connecting wires, the indium column is arranged on the first solder joint, and the body electrode is connected to the integrated circuit chip together.

2. The neural interface according to claim 1, characterized in that When the number of the microneedle bodies is plural, a microneedle array is formed on a flexible substrate; wherein the microneedle bodies are electrodes with needle-like structures, or the microneedle bodies are patch-type electrodes.

3. The neural interface according to claim 1, characterized in that The flexible substrate is circular, elliptical, polygonal or sector-shaped.

4. The neural interface according to claim 3, characterized in that When the flexible substrate is circular, the flexible substrate includes a plurality of annular regions.

5. The neural interface according to claim 4, characterized in that The microneedle body is arranged on the annular area.

6. The neural interface according to claim 4, characterized in that The number of microneedles on the outer ring region is greater than the number of microneedles on the inner ring region.

7. The neural interface according to claim 1, characterized in that The flexible substrate is formed of materials including silica gel, PDMS, polyimide or bacterial cellulose.

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