A skull-implanted ultrasonic array multifunction multiplexing device and a control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a skull implant type ultrasonic array multifunctional multiplexing device and a control method thereof. The device comprises a functional skull body, an acoustic transmission area, an ultrasonic transducer array and a closed-loop control unit. The functional skull body has an individualized three-dimensional structure matched with a skull defect area. The acoustic transmission area is arranged in the functional skull body to form an ultrasonic transmission channel. The ultrasonic transducer array is arranged in the functional skull body and corresponds to the acoustic transmission area. The closed-loop control unit controls the ultrasonic transducer array to perform at least two working modes of ultrasonic detection, ultrasonic communication, ultrasonic energy transmission and ultrasonic nerve regulation in different time windows in a time division multiplexing mode, and dynamically adjusts the proportion of each function time window according to the system state. The application realizes the integration of the skull repair structure and the ultrasonic function module, and improves the ultrasonic resource multiplexing capability.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application No. [2026109191789] filed on June 24, 2026 (Invention title: A skull implantable brain-computer interface relay platform and closed-loop intervention method). Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to brain-computer interface technology, implantable neuroelectronic device technology, and neuromodulation technology, specifically to a cranial implantable ultrasound array multifunctional multiplexer and its control method. Background Technology

[0003] In implantable brain-computer interface systems, ultrasound transducers can be applied to functional areas such as intracranial detection, implanted node communication, acoustic energy transmission, and low-intensity focused ultrasound neuromodulation. However, in existing technologies, these different functions are usually implemented using independent ultrasound transducer modules. For example, communication transducers, energy transmission transducers, and neuromodulation transducers are configured in different functional units, which increases the internal space occupied by the implanted system, makes the hardware structure more complex, and increases the difficulty of coordinated control between different functional modules, making it difficult to achieve a high degree of integration of the implantation platform.

[0004] On the other hand, in the application of skull defect repair and brain-computer interface implantation, although existing skull implant structures with acoustic transmission capabilities can provide ultrasound signal propagation channels and support postoperative ultrasound detection, they are mainly used as ultrasound propagation windows and lack an overall design for the coordinated operation of multiple functions such as communication, energy transmission, and neuromodulation in implantable brain-computer interface systems. In existing solutions, various ultrasound functions usually operate in fixed working modes, making it difficult to dynamically adjust the allocation of ultrasound resources according to the status of intracranial implantation nodes, communication requirements, and neuromodulation task requirements.

[0005] Furthermore, existing ultrasound multiplexing technologies primarily focus on the scheduling of communication resources between multiple implanted nodes, typically optimizing for a single communication function, without addressing the unified multiplexing of functions such as detection, communication, energy transmission, and neuromodulation on the same ultrasound array. Simultaneously, the relevant ultrasound transducers are usually configured as independent devices, not integrated with the cranial repair structure.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a technical solution that can integrate an ultrasound transducer array into a functional skull structure and enable a single ultrasound array to perform ultrasound detection, ultrasound communication, ultrasound energy transmission, and ultrasound neuromodulation functions in different time windows through a time-division multiplexing mechanism, while dynamically adjusting the allocation of time resources for each function according to the system status, so as to improve the integration, ultrasound resource utilization efficiency, and system adaptability of implantable brain-computer interface systems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, this application aims to provide a cranial implantable ultrasound array multifunctional multiplexing device and control method to solve the problems that different ultrasound functions in existing implantable brain-computer interface systems usually rely on multiple independent transducer modules, resulting in complex implantation structures, large space occupation, and difficulty in the coordinated work between functional modules.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: This invention provides a cranial implantable ultrasound array multifunctional multiplexing device, comprising: A functionalized skull body, having an individualized three-dimensional structure that matches the area of ​​a patient's skull defect, is configured to be implanted into the skull defect area. An acoustic transmission region is set in a local area of ​​the functionalized skull body to form an ultrasonic transmission channel that penetrates the functionalized skull body. An ultrasonic transducer array is disposed within the functionalized skull body and corresponds to the acoustic transmission region, for transmitting ultrasonic signals into the cranium and receiving ultrasonic signals returned from the cranium. A closed-loop control unit, electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer array, is used to control the ultrasonic transducer array to switch between at least two of the working modes in different time windows according to a time-division multiplexing method. The operating modes include ultrasound detection mode, ultrasound communication mode, ultrasound energy transmission mode, and ultrasound neuromodulation mode.

[0009] In one embodiment, the acoustic transmission region is formed by at least one of the following methods: Acoustic transparent materials are used; Setting an acoustic transmission window reduces the structural thickness of the corresponding region. Alternatively, an acoustic impedance matching structure can be set up to improve the acoustic impedance matching relationship between the acoustic transmission region and adjacent regions.

[0010] In one embodiment, the closed-loop control unit divides multiple functional time windows according to a preset time period, and dynamically adjusts the proportion of each functional time window based on the status information of the intracranial implanted node, the status information of ultrasound communication, and / or the system's working requirements.

[0011] In one embodiment, when it is determined that energy replenishment is needed based on the status information of the intracranial implanted node, the closed-loop control unit adjusts the proportion of the time window corresponding to the ultrasound energy transmission mode; when there is a need for a neuromodulation task, the proportion of the time window corresponding to the ultrasound neuromodulation mode is adjusted.

[0012] In one embodiment, the ultrasound transducer array includes multiple transducer elements, and the closed-loop control unit controls the driving phase of each element to enable the array to form a directional ultrasound beam; wherein, in ultrasound communication mode, the beam is directed towards the intracranial implanted node, and in ultrasound neuromodulation mode, the beam forms a focal point in the target brain region.

[0013] In one embodiment, the functionalized skull body comprises, from the outside in, an outer protective layer, an intermediate functional layer, and an inner brain-to-interface layer; the acoustic transmission region is formed in the location region corresponding to the three-layer structure, and the ultrasonic transducer array is disposed in the intermediate functional layer and corresponds to the acoustic transmission region.

[0014] In one embodiment, the device is configured to communicate with an intracranial implanted node including an ultrasound transceiver transducer; the closed-loop control unit is further configured to dynamically adjust the operating parameters of the ultrasound transducer array based on received status information fed back by the intracranial implanted node via ultrasound.

[0015] In one embodiment, an osseointegration fixation structure is provided in the edge region of the functionalized skull body for forming a fixed connection with the surrounding skull tissue; the osseointegration fixation structure is provided in the edge region of the functionalized skull body and is spaced apart from the region where the ultrasonic transducer array and closed-loop control unit are provided.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides a multi-functional multiplexing control method for a cranial implantable ultrasound array, applied to any of the above-described devices, comprising: S1. Obtain intracranial implantation node status information, ultrasound communication status information, and current system operating requirements through the closed-loop control unit; S2. Establish a time reuse scheduling cycle, divide the time cycle into multiple functional time windows, and configure the corresponding ultrasound working mode for each window. S3. Control the ultrasonic transducer array to perform at least two of the following working modes within the corresponding functional time window: ultrasonic detection, ultrasonic communication, ultrasonic energy transmission, and ultrasonic neuromodulation. S4. Dynamically adjust the allocation ratio of each functional time window in the next scheduling cycle according to changes in system status.

[0017] In one embodiment, S4 includes adjusting the proportion of the functional time window corresponding to the ultrasound energy transmission mode based on the energy status of the intracranial implanted node.

[0018] In one embodiment, when executing an ultrasound neuromodulation mode, the phase relationship between multiple transducer elements is controlled so that multiple ultrasound beams form a focused ultrasound focal point in the target brain region.

[0019] This application further aims to address the problem that existing cranial implant structures are mainly used as ultrasound propagation windows and cannot simultaneously undertake the multi-functional interface functions of ultrasound detection, ultrasound communication, ultrasound energy transmission, and ultrasound neuromodulation. By integrating an ultrasound transducer array inside a functional cranial structure and setting an acoustic transmission area to form a transmission channel suitable for ultrasound propagation, the cranial repair structure and the ultrasound functional interface can be integrated into one.

[0020] Meanwhile, this application also aims to solve the problem that existing ultrasound functions usually operate in a fixed working mode, making it difficult to dynamically adjust the allocation of ultrasound resources according to the status of intracranial implanted nodes, communication status, and neuromodulation needs. By establishing a function scheduling method based on time-division multiplexing, the same ultrasound transducer array can switch between performing ultrasound detection, ultrasound communication, ultrasound energy transmission, and ultrasound neuromodulation functions in different time windows, and dynamically adjust the allocation ratio of each function time window according to the system operating status.

[0021] Through the above technical solution, this application can improve the utilization efficiency of ultrasound resources while reducing the number of implantable ultrasound functional modules, and realize the integrated design of skull repair structure, ultrasound communication interface and neuromodulation interface, providing a new technical solution for long-term stable operation of implantable brain-computer interface system.

[0022] In summary, this application provides a cranial implantable ultrasound array multifunctional multiplexing device and its control method. By integrating an ultrasound transducer array into a functionalized cranial body with an individualized three-dimensional structure, and utilizing the acoustic transmission area to form an ultrasound transmission channel penetrating the functionalized cranial body, the cranial implantable structure simultaneously possesses structural repair function and ultrasound functional interface capability.

[0023] This application further integrates multiple working modes such as ultrasound detection, ultrasound communication, ultrasound energy transmission, and ultrasound neuromodulation into the same ultrasound transducer array through a time-division multiplexing control mechanism. The closed-loop control unit dynamically adjusts the allocation ratio of the time windows of each function according to the status information of the intracranial implanted node, the status information of ultrasound communication, and the system's working requirements, thereby achieving coordinated multiplexing between different ultrasound functions.

[0024] This application also incorporates multi-element phase control technology, enabling the ultrasound transducer array to form directional ultrasound beams or focused ultrasound fields according to different working modes, thereby achieving directional ultrasound effects on the target brain region while meeting the communication and energy transmission requirements of intracranial implanted nodes.

[0025] Compared to existing technical solutions that configure independent ultrasound functional modules separately, this application does not simply stack multiple ultrasound units. Instead, it achieves the unified construction of ultrasound detection, communication, energy transmission and neuromodulation functions under limited implantation space conditions by combining integrated skull structure, acoustic propagation path optimization, time-division multiplexing scheduling and spatial beam control.

[0026] Therefore, this application can improve the integration level and ultrasound resource utilization efficiency of implantable brain-computer interface systems, and enhance the system's adaptability to different operating states and functional requirements, providing a technical solution for the fusion of skull repair structures and brain-computer interface ultrasound functions.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: This application integrates an ultrasonic transducer array into a functionalized skull body with an individualized three-dimensional structure and sets up an acoustic transmission area to form an ultrasonic transmission channel, enabling the skull repair structure to simultaneously possess ultrasonic functional interface capabilities. This achieves the integrated integration of the skull repair carrier and the ultrasonic functional module. Compared with existing solutions that use multiple independent ultrasonic devices, this reduces the number of functional modules inside the implantation system, which is beneficial for reducing structural complexity and improving space utilization efficiency.

[0028] This application introduces a time-division multiplexing mechanism on the same ultrasonic transducer array, enabling the ultrasonic transducer array to switch between performing at least two functions among ultrasonic detection, ultrasonic communication, ultrasonic energy transmission, and ultrasonic neuromodulation within different time windows. This reduces the need for separate configuration of ultrasonic devices corresponding to different functions and improves the functional reuse of a single ultrasonic array.

[0029] This application uses a closed-loop control unit to dynamically adjust the allocation ratio of each functional time window based on the status information of the intracranial implanted node, the status information of ultrasound communication, and the system's operational requirements. This allows ultrasound resources to be flexibly scheduled according to the actual operating status, improving the utilization efficiency of ultrasound resources while meeting different functional requirements.

[0030] This application improves ultrasound propagation conditions by setting an acoustic transmission region in the functionalized skull body and using at least one of acoustically transparent materials, acoustic transmission windows, or acoustic impedance matching structures, thereby reducing the adverse effects of the functionalized skull structure on ultrasound signal transmission and providing a suitable transmission path for ultrasound propagation for implantable ultrasound communication, energy transmission, and neuromodulation.

[0031] This application employs an ultrasonic transducer array comprising multiple transducer elements, and forms a directional ultrasonic beam by controlling the phase of the transducer elements. This enables the ultrasonic array to achieve directional action on intracranial implanted nodes or target brain regions according to different functional requirements, thereby improving the controllability of the ultrasonic action position.

[0032] In summary, this application provides a multifunctional multiplexing technology for ultrasound arrays based on a functionalized skull carrier. Through structural integration, acoustic transmission optimization, and time-division multiplexing and closed-loop dynamic scheduling mechanisms, it achieves the synergistic multiplexing of ultrasound detection, communication, energy transmission, and neuromodulation functions in an implantable brain-computer interface system, thereby improving the system's integration, ultrasound resource utilization efficiency, and operational adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a cranial implantable ultrasound array multifunctional multiplexing device provided in this application; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the layered structure and internal functional module arrangement of the functionalized skull body. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structural form of the acoustic transmission region provided in this application; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of timing scheduling for multi-function switching of the ultrasonic transducer array provided in this application based on a time-division multiplexing mechanism; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the ultrasonic transducer array provided in this application forming a directional ultrasonic beam based on array element phase control; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the ultrasonic communication and energy transmission between the cranial implantable ultrasound array multifunctional multiplexer provided in this application and the intracranial implantation node. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the control flow for the closed-loop control unit provided in this application to dynamically adjust the proportion of the functional time window according to the system state; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of multiple cranial implantable ultrasound array multifunctional multiplex devices provided in this application working synergistically on the target brain region.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100, Functionalized skull body; 110, Outer protective layer; 120, Middle functional layer; 130, Medial brain-to-interface layer; 200, Acoustic transmission area; 210, Acoustic transparent material; 220, Acoustic transmission window; 230, Acoustic impedance matching structure; 300, Ultrasonic transducer array; 310, Transducer element; 330, Focusing point; 500, Closed-loop control unit; 800, Intracranial implantation node; 810, Ultrasonic transceiver transducer; 830, Energy conversion unit. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and effects of this invention clearer and more explicit, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following embodiments are only for explaining the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the invention. Where there is no conflict, the technical features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, this application provides a cranial implantable ultrasound array multifunctional multiplexing device and control method for use in implantable brain-computer interface systems. By integrating the ultrasound functional module with the cranial repair structure and utilizing the same ultrasound transducer array 300 to execute different ultrasound working modes within different time windows, the collaborative multiplexing of ultrasound detection, ultrasound communication, ultrasound energy transmission and ultrasound neuromodulation functions can be achieved.

[0037] In this embodiment, the cranial implantable ultrasound array multifunctional multiplexer includes a functionalized skull body 100, an acoustic transmission region 200, an ultrasound transducer array 300, and a closed-loop control unit 500.

[0038] The functionalized skull body 100 is implanted into the patient's skull defect area to replace the missing skull structure. The functionalized skull body 100 is individually designed based on the three-dimensional morphological information of the patient's skull defect area, ensuring its external contour matches the defect area, thereby enabling it to form a structural connection with the surrounding skull after implantation.

[0039] Specifically, the three-dimensional morphological information can be obtained through medical imaging data, such as establishing a three-dimensional model of the patient's skull through computed tomography data, and generating a corresponding functionalized skull body 100 structure based on the boundary morphology of the defect area.

[0040] Unlike traditional cranial repair materials that only serve a mechanical support function, the functionalized cranial body 100 in this application not only serves as a structural replacement for the cranial defect area, but also as an integrated carrier for the ultrasound functional module, enabling the ultrasound transducer array 300 to be directly integrated into the cranial repair structure.

[0041] In existing technologies, cranial repair structures typically focus primarily on mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and implantation stability, while functions such as ultrasound communication, ultrasound energy transmission, and ultrasound neuromodulation usually rely on independently configured ultrasound devices. Even though existing technologies disclose acoustically transparent cranial implant structures, implantable ultrasound communication devices, or ultrasound neuromodulation devices, their structural designs and working mechanisms differ significantly due to their different application purposes, and they generally cannot be directly combined.

[0042] For example, acoustically transparent skull implants are mainly used to improve the propagation conditions of ultrasound signals after passing through the skull. Their focus is on optimizing the acoustic properties of materials, without involving ultrasound resource scheduling or multifunctional reuse. Implantable ultrasound communication devices typically focus on establishing data transmission links. Their transducer structures and control methods are designed around the communication process, without considering the long-term implantation and integration requirements of skull repair structures. Ultrasonic neuromodulation devices typically form a specific sound field distribution for the target brain region, and their operating parameters differ from communication and power supply requirements.

[0043] Therefore, simply combining the above-mentioned different technical solutions would require setting up detection transducers, communication transducers, energy transmission transducers, and neuromodulation transducers separately. This would not only increase the space occupied during implantation, but also increase the complexity of system design due to the differences in frequency, power, and working timing between different transducers, making it impossible to achieve multi-functional collaborative work of a single ultrasound array in the skull implantation platform.

[0044] Based on the above problems, this application does not simply combine multiple existing ultrasound functional modules, but uses a functionalized skull body 100 as a unified structural carrier to integrate the ultrasound transducer array 300 inside the skull repair structure, and further combines a time-division multiplexing control mechanism so that the same ultrasound transducer array 300 can execute different working modes in different time windows according to the system status, thereby realizing the combination of structural integration and functional reuse.

[0045] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the functionalized skull body 100 includes, from the outside to the inside, an outer protective layer 110, an intermediate functional layer 120, and an inner brain-to-interface layer 130.

[0046] The outer protective layer 110 faces the outside of the skull and is used to provide external structural protection; the inner brain-to-interface layer 130 faces the intracranial tissue and is used to form an interface structure adapted to the intracranial environment; the intermediate functional layer 120 is located between the outer protective layer 110 and the inner brain-to-interface layer 130 and is used to integrate the ultrasound transducer array 300 and the closed-loop control unit 500.

[0047] In this embodiment, by setting the functional modules within the intermediate functional layer 120, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 can form an integral structure with the skull body, avoiding the increased space occupation and structural complexity caused by attaching external devices to the skull surface or installing them through additional fixing structures in traditional solutions.

[0048] Meanwhile, to ensure that the bone repair function and the ultrasound function do not interfere with each other, a bone integration fixation structure is set in the edge area of ​​the functional skull body 100 so that the surrounding skull tissue can form a fixed connection with the functional skull body 100, while the ultrasound transducer array 300 and the closed-loop control unit 500 are set in a position away from the bone integration area.

[0049] The spatial layout described above separates the area responsible for mechanical fixation from the area responsible for ultrasound functions, ensuring the stability of the skull implant while providing suitable installation space for the internal electronic and acoustic functional modules.

[0050] Furthermore, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, an acoustic transmission region 200 is provided in the functionalized skull body 100.

[0051] The acoustic transmission region 200 is located at the corresponding position of the ultrasonic transducer array 300 to form an ultrasonic transmission channel that penetrates the functionalized skull body 100, so that the ultrasonic signal can propagate bidirectionally between the outside of the skull and the intracranial environment.

[0052] Because natural skull and some traditional skull substitutes exhibit significant attenuation and acoustic impedance mismatch in their use of ultrasound signals, directly placing the ultrasound transducer within a standard skull substitute could lead to reduced ultrasound energy transmission efficiency and beam propagation direction deviation. Therefore, this application improves ultrasound propagation conditions by establishing an acoustic transmission region 200, enabling the skull repair structure to simultaneously possess structural support and ultrasound transmission capabilities.

[0053] In one embodiment, the acoustic transmission region 200 may be formed using an acoustically transparent material 210, for example, using a polymer material with low ultrasonic attenuation characteristics to replace the skull substitute material in the corresponding region.

[0054] In another implementation, the thickness of the corresponding area structure can be reduced by setting the acoustic transmission window 220, so that the ultrasonic signal can travel through a shorter propagation path, thereby reducing propagation loss.

[0055] In another embodiment, an acoustic impedance matching structure 230 can be provided to create a gradual acoustic impedance transition between the acoustic transmission region 200 and the adjacent region, thereby reducing interface reflection.

[0056] It should be noted that the acoustic transmission region 200 in this application does not exist merely as a regular ultrasound window, but rather as a component of the functionalized skull structure working in concert with the internal ultrasound transducer array 300. Its purpose is to provide a unified ultrasound propagation path for subsequent ultrasound detection, ultrasound communication, ultrasound energy transmission, and ultrasound neuromodulation.

[0057] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 is disposed inside the functionalized skull body 100 and correspondingly disposed in the acoustic transmission region 200.

[0058] In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 includes a plurality of transducer elements 310, which are arranged in a preset two-dimensional or three-dimensional array in the intermediate functional layer 120. Each transducer element 310 is electrically connected to a closed-loop control unit 500 to achieve independent drive control.

[0059] The transducer element 310 can be a piezoelectric transducer, a microelectromechanical ultrasonic transducer, or other ultrasonic transducer structures capable of converting electrical energy into acoustic energy.

[0060] Unlike existing technologies that use dedicated transducers for a single function, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 in this application is not limited to a specific fixed purpose, but achieves functional reuse through switching of working modes.

[0061] Specifically, in ultrasound detection mode, the ultrasound transducer array 300 is used to transmit probe ultrasound signals into the cranium and receive ultrasound echo signals returned by intracranial tissue, implanted nodes or other target objects, thereby obtaining corresponding detection information.

[0062] In the ultrasound communication mode, the ultrasound transducer array 300 is used to establish a data transmission link between the intracranial implanted node 800 and the extracranial control device, so as to realize the downlink transmission of control information and the uplink feedback of information such as nerve signal data.

[0063] In the ultrasonic energy transmission mode, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 transmits ultrasonic signals carrying acoustic energy to the intracranial implanted node 800, so that the intracranial implanted node 800 converts the acoustic energy into electrical energy through its internal energy conversion structure to support the operation of the node.

[0064] In the ultrasound neuromodulation mode, the ultrasound transducer array 300 generates ultrasound excitation signals that act on the target brain region, and achieves selective ultrasound action on the target region by adjusting the output parameters.

[0065] It should be noted that although the above four working modes correspond to different application objectives, they are all based on the generation, propagation and reception of ultrasonic signals. Therefore, this application uses the same ultrasonic transducer array 300 as a unified acoustic interface to achieve multi-functional multiplexing through resource allocation in the time dimension.

[0066] In existing technologies, separate hardware modules are typically designed for functions such as ultrasonic communication, ultrasonic power supply, and ultrasonic neuromodulation. For example, ultrasonic communication systems focus on modulation methods, communication distances, and bit error rates; ultrasonic power transmission systems focus on energy conversion efficiency and power output; and ultrasonic neuromodulation systems focus on sound field distribution and focus control. Since these systems are usually optimized for their respective independent objectives, there is no technical motivation to map multiple functions to a single ultrasonic array and dynamically schedule them.

[0067] Even if the above-mentioned different functional modules are simply combined, it usually requires the addition of multiple transducers, multiple drive circuits and multiple control paths. This not only fails to solve the problem of limited space for skull implantation, but also easily causes system resource conflicts due to the differences in working time, output power and signal characteristics of different functions.

[0068] Therefore, this application treats different ultrasound functions as different tasks on the same ultrasound resource platform and uses a time-division multiplexing mechanism to switch tasks in the time dimension, enabling a single ultrasound transducer array 300 to perform different functions according to system requirements. This is different from the existing ultrasound systems that are optimized for a single function in terms of technical concept.

[0069] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the closed-loop control unit 500 is used to control the ultrasonic transducer array 300 to switch between different working modes in different time windows according to the time-division multiplexing method.

[0070] In one embodiment, the closed-loop control unit 500 divides the time period into multiple functional time windows according to a preset scheduling cycle, and each functional time window corresponds to one or more ultrasonic working modes.

[0071] For example, within a scheduling cycle, the time window for ultrasound detection, the time window for ultrasound communication, the time window for ultrasound energy transmission, and the time window for ultrasound neuromodulation can be set sequentially.

[0072] Within the detection time window, the closed-loop control unit 500 controls the ultrasonic transducer array 300 to enter the detection state; Within the communication time window, the closed-loop control unit 500 controls the ultrasonic transducer array 300 to enter the data transmission state; Within the energy transmission time window, the closed-loop control unit 500 controls the ultrasonic transducer array 300 to output an ultrasonic signal with preset energy characteristics; Within the neural modulation time window, the closed-loop control unit 500 controls the ultrasonic transducer array 300 to form the target sound field.

[0073] The aforementioned time windows are not fixed, but are dynamically adjusted by the closed-loop control unit 500 according to the system status.

[0074] Specifically, the closed-loop control unit 500 can acquire at least one of the following status information: (1) Remaining energy status of intracranial implanted node 800; (2) Quality status of the ultrasonic communication link; (3) Status of the amount of data to be transmitted; (4) Current neural modulation task requirements.

[0075] Based on the above status information, the closed-loop control unit 500 adjusts the proportion of different functional time windows in the scheduling cycle.

[0076] For example, when it is detected that the remaining energy of the intracranial implanted node 800 is insufficient, the closed-loop control unit 500 can increase the proportion of the time window corresponding to the ultrasound energy transmission mode, so that more time resources can be used for node power supply. When a neuromodulation task requirement is detected, the closed-loop control unit 500 can increase the proportion of the time window corresponding to the ultrasound neuromodulation mode. When an increase in the amount of communication data is detected, the time window ratio corresponding to the ultrasonic communication mode can be appropriately increased.

[0077] The above dynamic scheduling method enables ultrasound resources to be reallocated according to the actual operating status of the implanted system.

[0078] Unlike time-division multiplexing technology in the existing communications field, the time-division multiplexing object in this application is not the data transmission time between multiple communication users, but the working time resources between the multiple physical functions undertaken by the same ultrasonic transducer array 300.

[0079] Therefore, the problem solved by this application is not simply to increase communication capacity, but to enable an ultrasound array to simultaneously undertake detection, communication, power supply and neuromodulation tasks under the condition of limited space for skull implantation, and to coordinate the resource competition between different tasks through a closed loop.

[0080] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 As shown, the closed-loop control unit 500 can perform closed-loop adjustment based on system feedback information.

[0081] In one embodiment, the intracranial implanted node 800 can feed back its own status information, such as remaining energy information, working status information, or communication quality information, to the closed-loop control unit 500 via ultrasound communication.

[0082] Based on the received feedback information, the closed-loop control unit 500 adjusts the working mode configuration for the next scheduling cycle.

[0083] For example, when the intracranial implanted node 800 enters a low-energy state, the closed-loop control unit 500 increases the proportion of the energy transmission time window; when the node returns to the preset operating state, it restores the proportion of the normal function time window.

[0084] Through the aforementioned closed-loop adjustment mechanism, the working state of the ultrasound array can be dynamically changed according to the actual intracranial operating conditions, rather than operating in a pre-fixed configuration manner.

[0085] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 adopts an array structure including multiple transducer elements 310. The closed-loop control unit 500 controls the driving parameters of each transducer element 310 respectively, so that the ultrasonic transducer array 300 forms a directional ultrasonic beam.

[0086] Specifically, the closed-loop control unit 500 can adjust at least one of the following parameters among the driving phase, driving time and driving amplitude of each transducer element 310, so that the ultrasonic waves generated by different transducer elements 310 will be superimposed in space, thereby changing the propagation direction or focusing position of the ultrasonic beam.

[0087] In one embodiment, when the ultrasonic transducer array 300 is in ultrasonic communication mode, the closed-loop control unit 500 adjusts the driving phase of each transducer element 310 according to the spatial position information of the intracranial implanted node 800, so that the ultrasonic beam is directed to the corresponding intracranial implanted node 800, thereby improving the directional selection capability of the ultrasonic communication link.

[0088] In another embodiment, when the ultrasonic transducer array 300 is in ultrasonic neuromodulation mode, the closed-loop control unit 500 performs phase control on each transducer element 310 according to the preset target brain region location parameters, so that the ultrasonic waves output by multiple transducer elements 310 form a focusing point 330 in the target brain region, thereby achieving directional ultrasonic action on the target region.

[0089] It should be noted that the phased array beam control in this application is not only used to improve the performance of a single ultrasound function, but also as a spatial resource adjustment method in a multi-functional multiplexing architecture.

[0090] In traditional ultrasound systems, the communication system, energy transmission system, and neuromodulation system are typically designed with corresponding sound field control schemes for different targets. For example, the communication system usually focuses on the received signal strength and link quality, the energy transmission system usually focuses on energy concentration efficiency, and the neuromodulation system usually focuses on the sound field distribution of the target brain region.

[0091] Although the above-mentioned technical solutions can achieve the corresponding functions, they cannot solve the problem of multiple ultrasound functions sharing the same hardware platform under limited space conditions in implantable brain-computer interface systems because they each adopt independent hardware structures and control strategies.

[0092] This application combines beamforming capability with time-division multiplexing mechanism, enabling the same ultrasonic transducer array 300 to not only switch different functions in the time dimension, but also adjust the ultrasonic action position in the spatial dimension according to different task requirements.

[0093] In other words, this application utilizes both time-dimension resource reuse and spatial-dimension beam control to achieve dynamic allocation of ultrasound resources among different functional tasks.

[0094] Therefore, even though existing technologies disclose phased array ultrasound communication technology or phased array focused ultrasound technology, the multifunctional ultrasound array multiplexing scheme based on the skull implant carrier in this application cannot be directly obtained.

[0095] The reason is that existing phased array technology is usually optimized for a single target, and its control strategy is based on fixed functional requirements, without addressing: Using cranial repair structures as carriers for ultrasound functionality; Mapping communication, power supply, detection, and neural modulation onto the same ultrasound array; Dynamically switch between different function modes based on system status; The beam direction and spatial area of ​​action are adjusted synchronously during the function switching process.

[0096] Therefore, the phased array control in this application is not simply an adoption of existing beamforming technology, but rather a spatial adjustment mechanism in the overall multi-functional multiplexing system, working together with the time-division multiplexing scheduling mechanism to achieve unified management of ultrasound resources.

[0097] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, the device of this application can work in conjunction with an implantation node located in the skull.

[0098] The intracranial implantable node 800 may include an ultrasound transceiver transducer 810, a signal acquisition unit, a data processing unit, and an energy conversion unit 830.

[0099] The intracranial implanted node 800 establishes a communication connection with the ultrasonic transducer array 300 in the functionalized skull body 100 via ultrasound.

[0100] In the ultrasonic communication mode, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 sends control information to the intracranial implanted node 800 or receives data fed back by the intracranial implanted node 800.

[0101] In one embodiment, the intracranial implanted node 800 can return the acquired neural data via ultrasound backscattering.

[0102] Specifically, the intracranial implanted node 800 modulates the reflection characteristics of the incident ultrasound signal according to the data to be transmitted, so that the ultrasound transducer array 300 can parse the corresponding data according to the returned signal.

[0103] In the ultrasonic energy transmission mode, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 transmits ultrasonic signals with preset energy characteristics to the intracranial implanted node 800.

[0104] The energy conversion unit 830 in the intracranial implanted node 800 converts the received acoustic energy into electrical energy and provides working energy for the signal acquisition unit, data processing unit and communication control unit inside the node.

[0105] Therefore, the intracranial implantable node 800 does not require a large-capacity battery or a complex power supply structure, and can be powered by an external ultrasound array.

[0106] It should be noted that the communication function and energy transmission function in this application do not rely on two separate ultrasonic interfaces, but are based on the same ultrasonic transducer array 300, and the function switching is achieved through different time windows and different operating parameters.

[0107] For example: Within the communication time window, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 can adopt a driving mode suitable for data modulation and signal reception; Within the energy transmission time window, the ultrasonic transducer array 300 can adopt a driving mode suitable for acoustic energy output.

[0108] By isolating time, the communication process and the energy transmission process can share the same ultrasound hardware resources, while reducing signal interference caused by different functions working simultaneously.

[0109] Furthermore, the closed-loop control unit 500 can also dynamically adjust the operating parameters of the ultrasound transducer array 300 based on the information fed back from the intracranial implanted node 800.

[0110] For example, when a change in the position of the intracranial implanted node 800 is detected, the closed-loop control unit 500 can update the corresponding node spatial parameters and readjust the phased array drive parameters to redirect the ultrasound beam to the target node.

[0111] When a degradation in communication link quality is detected, the closed-loop control unit 500 can adjust the ultrasonic transmission parameters or the communication time window ratio to maintain the communication link.

[0112] When an increase in energy demand is detected, the closed-loop control unit 500 can increase the time ratio corresponding to the energy transfer mode to meet the node's operating requirements.

[0113] Therefore, this application forms a closed-loop multifunctional ultrasound multiplexing system that includes: integration at the skull structure level, optimization of ultrasound propagation path, scheduling of time resources, spatial beam control, and node status feedback.

[0114] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A skull-implanted ultrasonic array multifunction multiplexing device, characterized by, include: A functionalized skull body, having an individualized three-dimensional structure that matches the area of ​​a patient's skull defect, is configured to be implanted into the skull defect area. An acoustic transmission region is set in a local area of ​​the functionalized skull body to form an ultrasonic transmission channel that penetrates the functionalized skull body. An ultrasonic transducer array is disposed within the functionalized skull body and corresponds to the acoustic transmission region, for transmitting ultrasonic signals into the cranium and receiving ultrasonic signals returned from the cranium. A closed-loop control unit, electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer array, is used to control the ultrasonic transducer array to switch between at least two of the working modes in different time windows according to a time-division multiplexing method. The operating modes include ultrasound detection mode, ultrasound communication mode, ultrasound energy transmission mode, and ultrasound neuromodulation mode.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The acoustic transmission region is formed by at least one of the following methods: Acoustic transparent materials are used; Setting an acoustic transmission window reduces the structural thickness of the corresponding region. Alternatively, an acoustic impedance matching structure can be set up to improve the acoustic impedance matching relationship between the acoustic transmission region and adjacent regions.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The closed-loop control unit divides multiple functional time windows according to a preset time period, and dynamically adjusts the proportion of each functional time window based on the status information of the intracranial implanted node, the status information of ultrasound communication, and / or the system's working requirements.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, When it is determined that energy replenishment is needed based on the status information of the intracranial implanted node, the closed-loop control unit adjusts the proportion of the time window corresponding to the ultrasound energy transmission mode; when there is a need for a neuromodulation task, the proportion of the time window corresponding to the ultrasound neuromodulation mode is adjusted.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrasound transducer array includes multiple transducer elements. The closed-loop control unit controls the driving phase of each element to make the array form a directional ultrasound beam. In ultrasound communication mode, the beam is directed towards the intracranial implanted node, and in ultrasound neuromodulation mode, the beam forms a focal point in the target brain region.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The functionalized skull body comprises, from the outside in, an outer protective layer, an intermediate functional layer, and an inner brain-to-interface layer; the acoustic transmission region is formed in the corresponding position region of the three-layer structure, and the ultrasonic transducer array is disposed in the intermediate functional layer and corresponds to the acoustic transmission region.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device is configured to communicate with an intracranial implanted node including an ultrasound transceiver transducer; the closed-loop control unit is also configured to dynamically adjust the operating parameters of the ultrasound transducer array based on the received status information fed back by the intracranial implanted node via ultrasound.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The functionalized skull body has an osseointegration fixation structure at its edge region for forming a fixed connection with the surrounding skull tissue; the osseointegration fixation structure is located at the edge region of the functionalized skull body and is spaced apart from the region where the ultrasonic transducer array and closed-loop control unit are located.

9. A method for controlling the multifunctional multiplexing of a cranial implantable ultrasound array, characterized in that, The apparatus used in any one of claims 1 to 8 comprises: S1. Obtain intracranial implantation node status information, ultrasound communication status information, and current system operating requirements through the closed-loop control unit; S2. Establish a time reuse scheduling cycle, divide the time cycle into multiple functional time windows, and configure the corresponding ultrasound working mode for each window. S3. Control the ultrasonic transducer array to perform at least two of the following working modes within the corresponding functional time window: ultrasonic detection, ultrasonic communication, ultrasonic energy transmission, and ultrasonic neuromodulation. S4. Dynamically adjust the allocation ratio of each functional time window in the next scheduling cycle according to changes in system status.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, S4 includes adjusting the proportion of the functional time window corresponding to the ultrasound energy transmission mode based on the energy status of the intracranial implanted node.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, When executing the ultrasound neuromodulation mode, the phase relationship between multiple transducer elements is controlled so that multiple ultrasound beams form a focused ultrasound focal point in the target brain region.

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