A brain-computer interface based on neural whiskers

Abstract

The present invention discloses a brain-computer interface based on nerve tentacles, comprising a plurality of nerve tentacles and an electronic interface; the first end of the nerve tentacles is used for two-way electrical signal interactive communication; the second end of the nerve tentacles is connected to the first end of the electronic interface, and the second end of the electronic interface is used to connect to an external device; the electronic interface comprises a plurality of axon electrodes, and the axon electrodes are correspondingly arranged at the second end of the nerve tentacles; nerve axons are induced to grow in the branches of the nerve tentacles; the axon electrodes comprise insulating microtubes, microelectrodes and wires; the tail end of the nerve axon passes through the insulating microtube and bends and extends toward the head end of the nerve axon; the microelectrode is arranged in the insulating microtube; one end of the wire is connected to the microelectrode, and the other end is used to connect to an external device; the present invention avoids intracranial immune rejection reaction and improves the service life of the interface by growing nerve axons in the branches of the nerve tentacles, and the nerve axons serve as the electrical recording or electrical stimulation of the brain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of implantable biomedical technology, and in particular relates to a brain-computer interface based on nerve tentacles. Background Art

[0002] Brain-computer interface technology has broad and multi-dimensional application prospects. The most advanced brain-computer interface systems generally use invasive sensor designs to obtain signals with high temporal and spatial resolution to improve the accuracy and response rate of system functions. Existing invasive brain-computer interface technologies generally use micro-electronic electrodes inserted into brain tissue for signal recording or stimulation; for example: Utah electrodes or deep brain stimulation electrodes; however, due to the human body's natural immune rejection of foreign bodies, as the implantation time goes by, the above-mentioned electronic electrodes are gradually wrapped by connective tissue, which on the one hand drives the target neurons away from the electrodes, and on the other hand forms an electrical insulation layer on the electrode surface that hinders the transmission of current signals, making it difficult for the electrodes to maintain a long stable working time in the human body, thereby leading to the collapse of the entire brain-computer interface system; other secondary technical challenges include: the wires connecting the implanted cortical electrodes and the skull surface interface are easily damaged and cause inflammation of the surrounding tissues due to the long-term mechanical stress of the relative displacement of the brain tissue.

[0003] In response to the above problems, the current new invasive electrode design uses flexible materials to reduce the difference in mechanical hardness between the implant and the surrounding soft tissue to reduce the mechanical stress generated; on the other hand, the three-dimensional size of the electrode implant is minimized as much as possible, which not only reduces the pressure on the surrounding tissue, but also reduces the immune rejection reaction. In addition, highly biocompatible biochemical molecular materials, drugs that inhibit inflammation, and growth factors that attract neurons are also coated on the surface of the implant to reduce the immune rejection reaction to the implant and induce neurons to approach the electrode; but the above improvements can only slightly alleviate the immune rejection reaction to the implanted electrode to a certain extent, thereby slightly extending the working life of the implanted electrode, such as 1 year; however, the fundamental immune rejection reaction is still unavoidable, and the working life of the implanted electrode is still far from the needs of the target application; the above is the main reason why there are no mature invasive brain-computer interface products on the market. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the technical problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a brain-computer interface based on neural tentacles to solve the technical problem in the existing brain-computer interface system that the working life of the implanted electrodes is short due to the immune rejection reaction to the implanted electrodes.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] The present invention provides a brain-computer interface based on neural antennae, comprising a plurality of neural antennae and an electronic interface; the first end of the neural antennae is used for two-way electrical signal interactive communication; the second end of the neural antennae is connected to the first end of the electronic interface, and the second end of the electronic interface is used to connect to an external device;

[0007] The electronic interface includes a plurality of axon electrodes, and the axon electrodes are correspondingly arranged at the second end of the nerve antenna;

[0008] Nerve axons are induced to grow in the branches of the nerve tentacles;

[0009] The axon electrode includes an insulating microtube, a microelectrode and a wire; the tail end of the nerve axon passes through the insulating microtube and bends and extends toward the head end of the nerve axon; the microelectrode is arranged in the insulating microtube; one end of the wire is connected to the microelectrode, and the other end is used to connect to an external device.

[0010] Furthermore, the nerve tentacle is a natural living nerve or an artificial nerve growth scaffold; wherein the artificial nerve growth scaffold is made of the user's own tissue material or a temporary auxiliary biodegradable material.

[0011] Furthermore, the first end of the nerve tentacle is provided with a barb, and the barb is provided on the outer wall of the first end of the nerve tentacle.

[0012] Furthermore, the barb comprises a film body; the film body is adhered to the outer wall of the second end of the nerve tentacle, and a plurality of engraved structures are evenly arranged on the film body; the film body is made of biodegradable film material.

[0013] Furthermore, the insulating microtube has a tube length of 0.1-1.0 mm and an inner diameter of 0.1 mm; the interior of the insulating microtube is filled with an inducing material; wherein the inducing material is a biodegradable biochemical material that induces the growth of the nerve axons.

[0014] Furthermore, the biodegradable biochemical material that induces the growth of the nerve axons is a biodegradable soft gel mixed with nerve growth factor material.

[0015] Furthermore, the insulating microtube is formed by curling a flexible biocompatible material film, or is made of a glass tube.

[0016] Furthermore, the microelectrode includes a plurality of electrode bodies; an array of a plurality of electrode bodies is arranged in the insulating microtube and is connected to the wire.

[0017] Furthermore, the electronic interface also includes a socket interface or a communication device, one end of the socket interface is connected to the wire, and the other end of the socket interface is used to connect to an external device; one end of the communication device is connected to the wire, and the other end is connected to the external device wirelessly or wired.

[0018] Furthermore, the external device is a wearable device, an external intelligent computing device or an external robot.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The present invention provides a brain-computer interface based on nerve tentacles, which grows nerve axons in the branches of the nerve tentacles. The nerve axons serve as the counterpart of electrical recording or electrical stimulation of the brain, and are different from existing neuronal cell bodies. The neurons connected to the nerve axons are still located in the original position in the cortex. The original neural network structure and function are not affected by the implanted brain-computer interface, thus avoiding intracranial immune rejection reactions and increasing the service life of the interface.

[0021] Furthermore, the nerve tentacles are made of natural living nerves or artificial nerve growth scaffolds, and the artificial nerve growth scaffolds are made of their own tissue materials or temporary auxiliary biodegradable materials, which avoids intracranial immune rejection reactions and ensures the service life of the brain-computer interface.

[0022] Furthermore, by providing a barb at the end of the nerve tentacle, the barb can ensure that the nerve axon can accurately enter the branch of the nerve tentacle and grow upward along the branch of the nerve tentacle until it is connected to the axon electrode to form a stable physical connection structure.

[0023] Furthermore, the axon electrode is designed with a combination of insulated microtubes, microelectrodes and wires. On the one hand, it ensures that the action potential transmitted on the axon can be effectively amplified and collected, and on the other hand, it effectively reduces the current threshold for stimulating the excitation of the axon therein, so that the synchronous recording in the adjacent nerve tentacles is free from interference from the stimulation signal, and the electrical stimulation saves power and does not damage cell tissue. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the working state of the brain-computer interface based on neural antennas described in the embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the axon electrode in the embodiment.

[0026] Among them, 1 nerve antenna, 2 axon electrode, 3 barb, 4 neuron, 5 nerve axon, 6 skull, 7 electronic interface, 8 scalp, 9 insulating microtube, 10 microelectrode, 11 wire, 12 subarachnoid space. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects solved by the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail in the following specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0028] The present invention provides a brain-computer interface based on nerve antennae, comprising a plurality of nerve antennae 1 and an electronic interface 7; the first end of the nerve antennae 1 is used for bidirectional electrical signal interactive communication; the second end of the nerve antennae 1 is connected to the first end of the electronic interface 7, and the second end of the electronic interface 7 is used to connect to an external device; nerve axons 5 are induced to grow in the branches of the nerve antennae 1; the electronic interface 7 comprises a plurality of axon electrodes 2, and the axon electrodes 2 are correspondingly arranged at the second end of the nerve antennae 1.

[0029] In the present invention, the nerve tentacle 1 is a natural living nerve or an artificial nerve growth scaffold; wherein the artificial nerve growth scaffold is made of the user's own tissue material or a temporary auxiliary biodegradable material; wherein the nerve tentacle is made of a natural living nerve or an artificial nerve growth scaffold, and the artificial nerve growth scaffold is made of the user's own tissue material or a temporary auxiliary biodegradable material, thereby avoiding intracranial immune rejection reaction and ensuring the service life of the brain-computer interface; a barb 3 is provided at the first end of the nerve tentacle 1, and the barb 3 is provided on the outer wall of the first end of the nerve tentacle 1; by providing a barb at the end of the nerve tentacle, under the action of the barb, it can be ensured that the nerve axon can accurately enter the branches of the nerve tentacle, and grow upward along the branches of the nerve tentacle until it is connected to the axon electrode to form a stable physical connection structure; wherein the barb 3 includes a film body; the film body is adhered to the outer wall of the second end of the nerve tentacle 1, and a number of engraved structures are evenly provided on the film body; the film body is made of a biodegradable film material.

[0030] The axon electrode 2 includes an insulating microtube 9, a microelectrode 10 and a wire 11; the tail end of the nerve axon 5 passes through the insulating microtube 9 and bends and extends toward the head end of the nerve axon 5; the microelectrode 10 is arranged in the insulating microtube 9; one end of the wire 11 is connected to the microelectrode 10, and the other end is used to connect to an external device; the axon electrode adopts an insulating microtube, a microelectrode and a wire combination design, on the one hand to ensure that the action potential conducted on the axon can be effectively amplified and collected, on the other hand to effectively reduce the current threshold for stimulating the excitement of the axon therein, so that the synchronous recording in the adjacent nerve tentacles is free from interference from the stimulation signal, and the electrical stimulation saves power and does not damage cell tissue.

[0031] The insulating microtube 9 has a tube length of 0.1-1.0 mm and an inner diameter of 0.1 mm; the insulating microtube 9 is filled with an inducing material; wherein the inducing material is a biodegradable biochemical material that induces the growth of the nerve axons; preferably, the biodegradable biochemical material that induces the growth of the nerve axons is a biodegradable soft gel mixed with nerve growth factor material; the insulating microtube 9 is formed by curling a flexible biocompatible material film, or is made of a glass tube; the microelectrode 10 includes a plurality of electrode bodies; a plurality of electrode body arrays are arranged in the insulating microtube 9, and are all connected to the wire 11;

[0032] In the present invention, the electronic interface 7 also includes a socket interface or a communication device, one end of the socket interface is connected to the wire 11, and the other end of the socket interface is used to connect to an external device; one end of the communication device is connected to the wire 11, and the other end is connected to the external device wirelessly or wired; wherein the external device is a wearable device, an external intelligent computing device or an external robot.

[0033] The brain-computer interface based on nerve tentacles described in the present invention grows nerve axons within the branches of the nerve tentacles. The nerve axons serve as the counterparts of electrical recording or electrical stimulation in the brain and are different from existing neuronal cell bodies. The neurons connected to the nerve axons are still located in the original positions in the cortex. The original neural network structure and function are not affected by the implanted brain-computer interface, thus avoiding intracranial immune rejection reactions and increasing the service life of the interface.

[0034] Example

[0035] As attached Figure 1-2 As shown, this embodiment provides a brain-computer interface based on nerve antennae, including a plurality of nerve antennae 1 and an electronic interface 7; the first end of the nerve antennae 1 is used for bidirectional electrical signal interactive communication; the second end of the nerve antennae 1 is connected to the first end of the electronic interface 7, and the second end of the electronic interface 7 is used to connect to an external device; nerve axons 5 are induced to grow in the branches of the nerve antennae 1; the electronic interface 7 includes a plurality of axon electrodes 2 and an interface body; the axon electrode 2 is correspondingly arranged at the second end of the nerve antennae 1; one end of the axon electrode 2 is connected to the nerve antennae 1, and the other end of the axon electrode 2 is connected to one end of the interface body, and the other end of the interface body is used to connect to an external device.

[0036] The axon electrode 2 includes an insulating microtube 9, a microelectrode 10 and a wire 11; the tail end of the nerve axon 5 passes through the insulating microtube 9 and bends and extends toward the head end of the nerve axon 5; the microelectrode 10 is arranged in the insulating microtube 9; one end of the wire 11 is connected to the microelectrode 10, and the other end is connected to the interface body; the interface body adopts a socket interface or a communication device; wherein, one end of the socket interface is connected to the wire 11, and the other end of the socket interface is used to connect to an external device; one end of the communication device is connected to the wire 11, and the other end is connected to an external device by wireless or wired means.

[0037] In this embodiment, according to the specific needs of brain-computer applications, the number of the nerve tentacles 1 is one or more; different nerve tentacles 1 are connected to different brain areas; each nerve tentacles 1 can be used for both electrical recording and electrical stimulation of the brain; the electrical recording or electrical stimulation between different nerve tentacles 1 can be either synchronous or asynchronous; since each nerve tentacle 1 has excellent electrical insulation itself, and the axon electrode 2 only outputs Pa-level output current during stimulation; therefore, electrical stimulation in one of the nerve tentacles 1 will not interfere with the synchronous electrical recording in other nerve tentacles.

[0038] The neural tentacle 1 includes a lower tentacle end section, a middle tentacle section and an upper tentacle end section; the lower tentacle end section is embedded in a preset depth of the cortex of a preselected brain area; one end of the middle tentacle section is connected to the lower tentacle end section, and the other end is connected to the upper tentacle end section; the middle tentacle section extends in the subarachnoid space 12 between the skull 6 and the cortex; the upper tentacle end section is embedded in the opening of the skull 6 and is connected to the electronic interface 7; it is used to transmit recorded signals to an external device through the electronic interface, or to transmit external current signals to the nerve axons 5 in the neural tentacle 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the lower end section of the tentacle is provided with a barb 3, and the barb 3 is provided on the outer wall of the lower end section of the tentacle; the lower end section of the tentacle is inserted into the target brain area of ​​the preselected function, and fixed to the target brain area of ​​the preselected function by the barb 3; some neurons 4 at the insertion point of the lower end section of the tentacle are induced to regenerate to form nerve axons 5; the nerve axons 5 enter the middle section of the tentacle, and grow upward along the branches of the nerve tentacle 1 until they are located in the electronic interface 7 in the skull 6, and form a stable physical connection with the axon electrode 2 to achieve electrical recording or electrical stimulation. According to the diameter of the nerve tentacle 1, each nerve tentacle 1 can induce the growth of several to hundreds of nerve axons; the neurons of the nerve axons may carry a single synchronous electrical signal or a rich asynchronous electrical signal; the end of each nerve tentacle can be embedded with one or more axon electrodes 2, which are used to form an independent channel interactive connection with one or more nerve axons.

[0040] The neural tentacles are made of the user's own nerves or artificially synthesized biological materials. After the neural tentacles are implanted, the induced regenerated capillaries can fuse with the neural tentacles, providing the cells in the neural tentacles with the substances and energy required for metabolism, so as to form a long-term stable artificial biological tissue structure. When the neural tentacles are made of the user's own nerves, since there are no implantable objects within the skull 6, the long-term biocompatibility effect can reach the natural lifespan of the user.

[0041] The number of nerve axons induced to grow for each nerve tentacle 1 depends on the depth to which the terminal section below the tentacle is inserted into the cortex; since neurons at different depths in the cortex can be induced to regenerate to form nerve axons and enter the branches of the nerve tentacle, connection between neurons at different depths in the cortex can be achieved; in addition, in order to increase the number of nerve axons carrying independent signals in each nerve tentacle, a series of tiny openings are opened at different depths of the terminal section below the tentacle to receive neurons at different depths in the cortex to grow axons therein, thereby achieving a large-scale connection of the columnar neural network structure in the depth direction of the cortex.

[0042] In this embodiment, the axon electrode 2 is a microtubular electrode structure; wherein the insulating microtube 9 has a tube length of 0.1-1.0 mm and an inner diameter of 0.1 mm; the inner cavity of the insulating microtube 9 is loaded with an inducing material for inducing the growth of the nerve axon 5; the inducing material is a biodegradable biochemical material that induces the growth of the nerve axon; preferably, the biodegradable biochemical material that induces the growth of the nerve axon is a biodegradable soft gel mixed with nerve growth factor material; one or more microelectrodes 10 are embedded in the insulating microtube 9, and the microelectrode 10 is used to record or stimulate the nerve axon 5; the axon electrode 2, on the one hand, ensures that the action potential conducted on the axon can be effectively amplified and collected, and on the other hand, effectively reduces the current threshold for stimulating the excitement of the axon therein, so that the synchronous recording in the adjacent nerve tentacles is free from interference from the stimulation signal, and the electrical stimulation saves power and does not damage cell tissue.

[0043] The electronic interface 7 includes a plurality of axon electrodes 2 arranged in an array, and the electronic interface 7 is integrally embedded in the skull 6; the electronic interface 7, as a multi-channel signal acquisition or input interface, is fixed on the skull 6, and is connected to the electronic circuit of an external device through a wire 11 and an interface body; the external device is a wearable device, an external intelligent computing device or an external robot; when the external device is a wearable device, the electronic interface 7 protrudes out of the scalp 8; when the external device is an external intelligent computing device or an external robot, the electronic interface 7 is fixed on the surface of the skull and is located under the scalp 8 to form a fully implantable system; wherein the interface body in the electronic interface is a communication device; one end of the communication device is connected to the wire 11, and the other end is connected to the external intelligent computing device or the external robot by wireless or wired means.

[0044] In this embodiment, a plurality of nerve tentacles are provided and a multi-tentacle design is adopted to increase information flux and connect with different brain regions; wherein, each nerve tentacle has its lower end inserted into a preselected brain region through minimally invasive surgery; the branches of the nerve tentacle extend in the subarachnoid space above the surface of the brain, and the other end is concentrated in the central skull opening to connect with the axon electrode in the fixed electronic interface 7; depending on the number and arrangement of the nerve axon electrodes, the diameter of the opening in the center of the skull is less than or equal to 1 cm.

[0045] In this embodiment, the tentacle lower end section, the tentacle middle section and the tentacle upper end section are all made of natural living nerves or artificial nerve growth scaffolds; wherein the artificial nerve growth scaffold is made of the user's own tissue material or temporary auxiliary biodegradable materials.

[0046] The lower end portion of the tentacle and the barb 3 arranged on the lower end portion of the tentacle are used to induce the surrounding neurons to grow axons into the lower end portion of the tentacle to form nerve axons; wherein, in the lower end portion of the tentacle, the opening for inducing the growth of axons is arranged at the terminal end; the barb 3 is used to fix the lower end of the nerve tentacle in the cortical tissue at the insertion position, and the barb 3 can be completely biodegraded within a preset time period after implantation, so that the lower end portion of the tentacle can be structurally fused with the surrounding brain tissue; the middle section of the tentacle is used to induce the nerve axons extending into the middle cavity of the nerve tentacle to grow upward along its branches to the skull, and can induce the capillaries in the subarachnoid cavity to merge and grow with it to nourish the cells in the whisker; the upper end portion of the tentacle is used to connect the middle section of the tentacle with the electronic interface 7.

[0047] In the brain-computer interface based on nerve tentacles described in this embodiment, the axon electrode 2 is buried in the upper end section of the tentacle, and is used to induce and receive the growing nerve axon 5; the nerve axon 5 grows into the insulating microtube 9 in the axon electrode 2, and passes through and bends and extends in the direction of growth; the nerve axon forms good physical contact with the microelectrode in the insulating microtube for bidirectional transmission of electrical signals; the microelectrode is fixed in the insulating microtube, and the insulating microtube amplifies the bidirectionally transmitted electrical signal; the interface body is fixed in the opening of the skull, and is used to receive the upper end section of the tentacle and the axon electrode 2, and is connected to an external device to realize bidirectional electrical signal transmission.

[0048] In this embodiment, the implanted materials below the skull are all user's own tissue materials or temporary auxiliary biodegradable materials, thereby avoiding intracranial immune rejection reactions and greatly extending the service life of the entire brain-computer interface; the nerve tentacles are inserted into different brain regions and cortical depths for bidirectional electrical signal interaction and communication with neurons in different brain regions and cortical depths; a central opening or multiple distributed small holes can be drilled in the skull for connecting the nerve tentacles to the outside world through an electronic interface; the barbs are formed by engraving a biodegradable film and are adhered to the outer wall of the lower end of the nerve tentacles; the lower end section of the tentacle, the opening for inducing axon growth is arranged in multiple directions along the depth of the inserted nerve tentacles to simultaneously receive neuronal axons of different depths; the middle cavity of the insulating microtube 9 is filled with inducing nerve axons The insulating microtube is made of a micro glass tube, in which one or more micro electrodes are embedded; or the insulating microtube is made of a flexible biocompatible material film curled by mechanical stress, and the microelectrode array is made on the inner surface of the film, which has higher electrode density and precision; the filling material in the axon electrode for inducing the nerve axon to penetrate therein is a biodegradable soft gel mixed with nerve growth factor; the interface body can protrude from the scalp and connect to an external device through a socket, or it can be first connected to an electronic device fixed on the skull next to it or buried in other parts of the body, so as to further connect to an external electronic intelligent device through wireless transmission.

[0049] Implantation method and working principle:

[0050] In the brain-computer interface based on nerve tentacles described in this embodiment, the nerve tentacles are inserted into the target brain tissue through minimally invasive surgical injection; the telescopic part of the front end of the syringe carrying the nerve tentacles can be freely bent, penetrate into the subarachnoid space 12 under the skull through the small hole in the skull, reach the target cortex under the guidance of real-time CT images, and insert the lower end section of the tentacle into the cortex to a preset depth by injection, and then the syringe needle is retracted; the outer periphery of the lower end section of the tentacle is designed with a fixed barb 3 to fix the end of the tentacle in the cortical tissue at the insertion position; the barb can be formed by engraving on a layer of biodegradable film, and the barb has a preset toughness and is adhered to the outer wall of the lower end section of the tentacle; the barb can be completely biodegradable within a preset time period after implantation, at which time the lower implant end of the nerve tentacle has been structurally fused with the surrounding brain tissue.

[0051] The upper end section of the tentacle is pre-set with an axon electrode 2; after the lower end section of the tentacle is implanted, the upper end section of the tentacle is centrally fixed in the electronic interface 7 embedded in the skull; the length of each nerve tentacle depends on the distance between the electronic interface 7 and the insertion target cortex; the extensible middle section of the tentacle is placed in the subarachnoid space, and can induce capillaries to fuse and grow with it to nourish the cells within the tentacle.

[0052] The drill hole in the skull is used to implant nerve tentacles and embed the electronic interface 7; the opening size of the drill hole depends on the density and number of axon electrodes, but the overall diameter is less than 1 cm and as small as possible; after the electronic interface 7 is installed, the skull opening gap is filled with biocompatible material and the electronic interface 7 is fixed; wherein the biocompatible material is dental cement; the subsequent connection circuit can adopt a socket-type external connection or a fully implanted connection according to actual needs.

[0053] Within a few weeks after the implantation surgery is completed, the nerve tentacles induce the surrounding neurons to extend their axons into the lower terminal segment of the nerve tentacles and grow upward along the nerve tentacles through the principles of regenerative neurology; in the upper terminal segment of the nerve tentacles, some of the axons that have arrived are induced to drill into the axon electrode; since both ends of the axon electrode are open, the nerve axons can pass through the insulating microtubes 9 of the axon electrode and continue to grow in a spiral inside the nerve tentacle; so that the nerve axons and the axon electrodes form a long-term and stable neural electronic interface.

[0054] The insulating microtube 9 of the axon electrode is made of a microglass tube, in which one or more microelectrodes 10 are embedded; it can also be made of a flexible biocompatible material film by curling it under mechanical stress; when the insulating microtube 9 is made of a flexible biocompatible material film by curling it under mechanical stress, a microelectrode array can be made on the inner surface of the flexible biocompatible material film to achieve higher electrode density and precision; in addition, the geometric properties of the insulating microtube 9 itself will also induce nerve axons to drill into it.

[0055] In later use, if the axon electrode inside the electronic interface 7 is damaged, the replacement of the axon electrode or array only requires a minor operation; the replaced axon electrode will form a new electronic connection with the axon at the end of the nerve antenna through induced regeneration in a short time.

[0056] The brain-computer interface based on nerve tentacles described in the present invention is a universal brain-computer interface platform that can provide technical platform support for many brain-computer interface applications; at the same time, it can enable paralyzed patients to use their own imagination or thoughts to control computers or other external intelligent devices, and can be used to treat intractable neurological diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease; a significant functional feature of the present invention that is different from existing invasive brain-computer interfaces is that the object of electrical recording or stimulation is the axon, not the neuronal cell body, although the neural electrical signals carried by both are the same. In addition, since the neurons connected to the axons captured by the nerve tentacles are still located in the original position in the cortex, the original neural network structure and function inside the brain are basically not affected by this implant system. Of course, the cell network reconstruction that may occur in a small area around the cortex after the nerve tentacles are implanted is a normal phenomenon.

[0057] In the present invention, since the implanted materials below the skull are all the user's own tissue materials, there is no intracranial immune rejection reaction. Once implanted, the service life can reach the natural life span of the user; the implantation of nerve tentacles and interfaces uses minimally invasive surgery, with small skull wounds and fast recovery; the electrical recording of the brain can be used to control external devices or robots, and the electrical stimulation of the brain can be used to treat intractable neurological diseases such as epilepsy or Parkinson's disease; if the brain-computer interface is a fully implantable device, it can achieve an invisible effect, and the user has no appearance difference from other people; and it is convenient and easy to perform surgical repair on implanted electronic devices below the scalp.

[0058] The above embodiment is only one of the implementation methods that can realize the technical solution of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed by the present invention is not limited only to this embodiment, but also includes changes, replacements and other implementation methods that can be easily thought of by any technician familiar with the technical field within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A brain-computer interface based on neural whiskers, It is characterized in that It comprises a plurality of nerve tentacles (1) and an electronic interface (7); the first end of the nerve tentacles (1) is used for two-way electrical signal interactive communication; the second end of the nerve tentacles (1) is connected to the first end of the electronic interface (7), and the second end of the electronic interface (7) is used for connecting to an external device; The electronic interface (7) comprises a plurality of axon electrodes (2), wherein the axon electrodes (2) are arranged correspondingly at the second end of the nerve antenna (1); Nerve axons (5) are induced to grow in the branches of the nerve tentacles (1); The axon electrode (2) comprises an insulating microtube (9), a microelectrode (10) and a wire (11); the tail end of the nerve axon (5) passes through the insulating microtube (9) and bends and extends toward the head end of the nerve axon (5); the microelectrode (10) is arranged in the insulating microtube (9); one end of the wire (11) is connected to the microelectrode (10), and the other end is used to connect to an external device; The nerve tentacle (1) is a natural living nerve or an artificial nerve growth scaffold; wherein the artificial nerve growth scaffold is made of the user's own tissue material or a temporary auxiliary biodegradable material; The first end of the nerve tentacle (1) is provided with a barb (3), and the barb (3) is arranged on the outer wall of the first end of the nerve tentacle (1); The barb (3) comprises a film body; the film body is adhered to the outer wall of the second end of the nerve tentacle (1), and a plurality of engraved structures are evenly arranged on the film body; the film body is made of a biodegradable film material; The interior of the insulating microtube (9) is filled with an inducing material; wherein the inducing material is a biodegradable biochemical material that induces the growth of the nerve axons; The nerve axon (5) grows into the insulating microtube (9) in the axon electrode (2), passes through and extends in a curved direction in the direction of growth.

2. A brain-computer interface based on neural whiskers according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The insulating microtube (9) has a tube length of 0.1-1.0 mm and an inner diameter of 0.1 mm.

3. A brain-computer interface based on neural whiskers according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The biodegradable biochemical material inducing the growth of the nerve axons is a biodegradable soft gel mixed with nerve growth factor material.

4. A brain-computer interface based on neural whiskers according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The insulating microtube (9) is formed by curling a flexible biocompatible material film, or is made of a glass tube.

5. A brain-computer interface based on neural whiskers according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The microelectrode (10) comprises a plurality of electrode bodies; an array of the plurality of electrode bodies is arranged in the insulating microtube (9) and is connected to the wire (11).

6. A brain-computer interface based on neural whiskers according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The electronic interface (7) further comprises a socket interface or a communication device, one end of the socket interface being connected to the wire (11), and the other end of the socket interface being used to be connected to an external device; one end of the communication device being connected to the wire (11), and the other end being connected to an external device in a wireless or wired manner.

7. A brain-computer interface based on neural whiskers according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The external device is a wearable device, an external intelligent computing device or an external robot.

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