Neural Interface System

Abstract

A neural interface system includes at least one microprobe (1), the microprobe (1) includes a substrate and at least one microelectrode (3), the substrate has an arc-shaped structure, and the microelectrode (3) is located outside the substrate. When a person's retina is damaged, the microprobe (1) is placed in the orbit and directly stimulates the optic nerve cells with a signal that can reconstruct vision, thereby restoring the person's visual cognitive function.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention is in the field of medical devices, and more specifically, relates to neural interface systems. [Background technology]

[0002] A neural interface is an information transmission system that does not depend on the normal output pathway consisting of peripheral nerves and muscles, and provides a new pathway for exchanging information with an external device by bypassing peripheral nerves and muscle tissue, and allows an external device to stimulate nerve cells to generate action potentials and record the action potentials generated by the nerve cells, thereby realizing two-way information transmission between nerve cells and an external device. For this reason, neural interfaces are widely used in the research and treatment of various neurological diseases, including those of the human optic nerve system.

[0003] Due to trauma, work environment influence or aging, the retina in a person's eye may be damaged or detached, which may lead to blindness or visual impairment. In recent years, with the progress of science and technology, artificial retina repair technology has been developed, that is, by directly converting light signals into electrical signals and using the electrical signals to stimulate the inner retinal cells, the patient's vision can be restored to a certain extent. At present, this technology has become a research hotspot in the field of visual repair. The implanted artificial retina electrode generally adopts rigid silicon electrodes or flexible non-silicon electrodes, and the clarity of the image perceived by the patient is determined by the number of electrodes embedded, where the electrodes are equivalent to the pixels of a digital camera, and the more electrodes there are, the clearer the image perceived. The electrical contacts using traditional silicon technology / non-silicon technology are relatively few, and it is not possible to distinguish and read the optic nerve signals or distinguish and perform weak current stimulation on the optic nerve, so the requirements for visual effects cannot be met. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a neural interface system for directly stimulating nerve cells with signals transmitted from outside the eye to restore a person's visual cognitive function when the person's retina is damaged. To achieve the above objective, the present invention specifically adopts the following technical solution: A neural interface system is provided, which comprises at least one micro-probe, the micro-probe comprising a substrate and at least one micro-electrode, the substrate having an arc-shaped structure, and the micro-electrode located outside the substrate.

[0005] In an alternative embodiment, the method further comprises an extracorporeal device, the extracorporeal device comprising a collection unit and a processing unit.

[0006] In one alternative embodiment, the acquisition unit is configured to acquire an image and the processing unit is configured to convert the image into a stimulus signal for reproducing a visual sensation.

[0007] In one optional embodiment, the extracorporeal device further comprises a first wireless coil and a second wireless coil is disposed on the side of the microprobe, the first wireless coil being for transmitting a stimulation signal and the second wireless coil being for receiving a stimulation signal.

[0008] In one alternative embodiment, the microelectrodes are implanted in the optic nerve.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment, the neural interface system further comprises a fixation means for fixing the microprobe within the orbit.

[0010] In one alternative embodiment, at least two of the microelectrodes are of different lengths.

[0011] In one alternative embodiment, the length of the microelectrodes located in the middle region is longer than the length of the microelectrodes located in both edge regions.

[0012] In one alternative embodiment, the length of the microelectrodes located in the middle region is shorter than the length of the microelectrodes located in both edge regions.

[0013] In one alternative embodiment, there are a plurality of the microprobes, and the microprobe structure formed by the plurality of the microprobes has an arcuate surface.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] The present invention provides a neural interface system that, when a person's retina is damaged, places a microprobe inside the eye socket to directly stimulate optic nerve cells with signals capable of reconstructing vision, thereby restoring visual perception to the person.

[0016] The present invention customizes and designs a three-dimensional area array of multi-contact microprobe structures according to the degree of damage to the retina of the human eye, and can realize the reading of a single nerve action potential and the stimulation of the optic nerve with a weak current through multiple contacts.

[0017] By installing independent microelectrodes and electrical contacts on a single microprobe, the present invention enables reading and writing of electrical potential signals from neurons at the same location, thereby synchronously compensating and correcting visual information, and providing a better visual experience to the visually impaired. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] In order to more clearly describe the technical solution of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments are briefly described below. The drawings described are only for illustrating some embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. In the drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals.

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a neural interface system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a microelectrode according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a connection between an indium bump and an integrated circuit chip according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention, which are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, but not all of the embodiments.

[0021] The components in the embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various arrangements. Therefore, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings is merely intended to illustrate selected embodiments of the present invention and does not limit the scope of the invention to be protected. All other embodiments obtained by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without using inventive ability also belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0022] In the following, the terms "comprise", "have" and similar meanings as used in the various embodiments of the present invention are only intended to represent certain features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations of the above elements and should not be understood to exclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations of the above elements may be present or that one or more more features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations of the above elements may be added.

[0023] Additionally, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. are used merely for distinguishing and descriptive purposes and do not state or imply any relative importance.

[0024] Unless otherwise specified, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the meanings commonly recognized by those skilled in the art to which the various embodiments of the present invention belong. In each embodiment of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the above terms (e.g., terms defined in a dictionary commonly used) have the meanings in the relevant technical field and are not to be construed as ideal or formal meanings. Example 1

[0025] This embodiment provides a neural interface system, comprising at least one microprobe, the microprobe comprising a substrate and at least one microelectrode, the substrate having an arc-shaped structure, and the microelectrode located outside the substrate. The microprobes are multiple, and the microprobe structure formed by the multiple microprobes has an arc-shaped surface. The microelectrode is configured to be embedded in the optic nerve and to transmit a stimulation signal to the optic nerve or to collect an optic nerve signal.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the method further includes an external device, the external device including a collection unit and a processing unit. The collection unit is configured to acquire an image. The processing unit is configured to convert the image into a stimulation signal for reproducing vision. The collection unit is placed near the orbit and the processing unit is placed near the ear, the collection unit can function as a human eye and is configured to collect an image of the outside world, the processing unit converts the image into a stimulation signal capable of reproducing vision, and transmits the stimulation signal to the optic nerve via a microelectrode, whereby the optic nerve transmits the stimulation signal to the brain central nervous system to reconstruct vision.

[0027] In a practical application scenario, the extracorporeal device further includes a first wireless coil, and a second wireless coil is disposed on the side of the microprobe, the first wireless coil being for transmitting a stimulation signal, and the second wireless coil being for receiving the stimulation signal.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the neural interface system further comprises a fixing means for fixing the microprobe in the orbit, the fixing means being a nail or adhesive, etc.

[0029] In practical application scenarios, the lengths of at least two of the microelectrodes are different. In one alternative embodiment, the length of the microelectrode located in the middle region is longer than the length of the microelectrodes located in both edge regions. In another alternative embodiment, the length of the microelectrode located in the middle region is shorter than the length of the microelectrodes located in both edge regions.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the neural interface system comprises a plurality of microprobes, at least two of which have substrates with different radii of curvature, thereby joining the plurality of microprobes into a spherical microprobe structure, in an alternative embodiment, the substrate in the middle region has a larger radius of curvature than the substrate in the edge region.

[0031] In this embodiment, the neural interface system places a microprobe inside the eye socket to directly stimulate optic nerve cells with signals capable of reconstructing vision and restoring a person's visual perception when their retina is damaged. Example 2

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a neural interface system. The neural interface system includes a plurality of microprobes 1 and an integrated circuit chip 2 (CMOS), and the plurality of microprobes 1 are combined by a constraint means to form an array structure. The microprobe includes at least one microelectrode 3, and at least one electrical contact 5 is installed on the microelectrode 3. The plurality of microprobes can form an area array including a large number of contacts, and the electrical contacts can read optic nerve signals or provide weak current stimulation to the optic nerve, improving the spatial resolution of the optic nerve and the accuracy of signals. The microprobe 1 and the integrated circuit chip 2 can be connected to realize the signal input / output function, and can effectively solve the problem of the relatively small number of contacts of the microelectrode 3 in the conventional implantable artificial retina using silicon technology / non-silicon technology.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the restraining means is a hollow hemisphere, and the micro-probes 1 are fixed to the restraining means to form a spike-shaped micro-probe array. When the micro-probe array is inserted into the optic nerve, the restraining means is in close contact with the eyeball, so that the restraining means is not a regular hollow hemisphere, but has a shape that mimics the shape of a human eyeball, is made of flexible material, and does not cause a foreign body sensation due to friction caused by frequent rotation of the eyeball when embedded in the fundus. Example 3

[0034] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the microprobe 1 includes a plurality of microelectrodes 3, which are installed independently of each other, and the microelectrodes 3 are provided with a plurality of electrical contacts 5, each of which is installed independently of each other. Each electrical contact 5 can collect different and non-interfering electrical signals based on the degree of insertion into the neural tissue, or the integrated circuit chip 2 can provide weak current stimulation with different potentials to the cortex at different depths at the same position, forming a visual sensation with higher resolution. A plurality of microelectrodes 3 can be installed on one microprobe 1, and the signal reading operation and the stimulation operation can be performed simultaneously.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the retina of a human eye has a symmetrical structure, but the position of retinal damage caused by disease or injury varies, and when only one side of the symmetrical retina is damaged, the micro-probes 1 corresponding to both sides can compensate for each other by reading and writing potential signals, thereby realizing the recovery of visual function. Specifically, the integrated circuit chip 2 controls the electrical contacts 5 of the micro-probe 1 on the undamaged side of the retina to read the potential signal of the optic nerve, and the integrated circuit chip 2 converts the imaging angle according to the specific position of the micro-probe 1 inserted into the retina, and controls the electrical contacts 5 of the micro-probe 1 on the symmetrical side to output the corrected potential signal, thereby compensating and correcting the visual sensation of the human eye.

[0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, when a person's retina is partially damaged, different microelectrodes 3 on the microprobe 1 at the same position realize the functions of reading and stimulating respectively, that is, the integrated circuit chip 2 compares and corrects the electrical signal obtained by reading the person's original retina with the potential signal obtained by converting the image information captured by an external device, and further, the other microelectrodes 3 on the microprobe 1 at the same position provide weak current stimulation to the optic nerve. At present, with the development of 5G technology, the above signals can be synchronously compensated and corrected in real time, providing a better visual experience to the visually impaired. Example 4

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the material of the restraining means of the micro-probe 1 is selected to be flexible and transparent. Different degrees of damage to the human retina are suitable for different artificial retinas. When the whole or most part of the retina is detached due to trauma or disease, the original retina cannot perform normal imaging function. At this time, the artificial retina can completely replace the human retina, and the integrated circuit chip converts the acquired external image information into an electrical signal, and the electrical contacts 5 of the micro-probe 1 provide weak current stimulation to the optic nerve and cell axons to form the human visual sense. In this case, the external light and image of the eye cannot be imaged on the original retina of the human, and there is no special requirement for the material and installation position of the restraining means and the integrated circuit core 2. Non-transparent materials may be used, and the integrated circuit chip 2 may be installed at the tip of the retina or the restraining means. When part of the retina is damaged or detached, the visual imaging function still remains to a certain extent, and when a hemispherical artificial retina is installed on the inner surface of the retina of the eyeball, it blocks the original incidence of light. In this case, if a transparent material is selected as the material for the restraining means of the micro-probe 1, it is possible to realize reading or stimulation of the optic nerve or cell axons by the electrical contacts 5 without interfering with the sensory function of part of the original retina of a person.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the integrated circuit chip 2 has a hollow hemispherical shape, which is adapted to fit well with the constraint means of a neural interface system, and the neural interface system is connected to the integrated circuit chip through the constraint means.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, the assembly consisting of the neural interface system and the restraint means is electrically connected to an integrated circuit chip, which is located outside the eye, thereby reducing the influence of heat generated by the operation of the integrated circuit chip on the imaging function of the human retina. Example 5

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the micro-probes 1 in the neural interface system are of equal length, and the tips of the micro-probes are formed as hemispherical arc surfaces. In another embodiment of the present invention, the micro-probes 1 are of unequal length, and are set differently according to the degree of retinal damage, forming an area array of non-uniform multi-contacts.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the micro-probes 1 in the neural interface system are uniformly distributed on the constraint means, in another embodiment of the present invention, the micro-probes 1 are non-uniformly distributed on the constraint means, and the distribution density of the micro-probes is set according to the degree of retinal damage and sensory needs, such that for a person with partially damaged retina, a denser micro-probe array is placed on the damaged part of the retina, and a sparser micro-probe array or no micro-probe array is placed on the undamaged part of the retina.

[0042] Specifically, a corresponding three-dimensional micro-probe structure can be set according to the test result of human retinal damage, and a multi-contact area array can be formed according to the degree of human retinal damage. The micro-electrode 3 in the micro-probe 1 can be cut, and a protective film is installed on the cut portion of the cut micro-electrode 3. Example 6

[0043] 3, the integrated circuit chip 2 is a readout circuit and includes a silicon substrate 10, in which a contact electrode 8 and a transistor 9 are embedded. The silicon substrate is a P-type silicon substrate, and indium bumps embedded in the integrated circuit chip 2 are electrically connected to the silicon substrate by connection wiring 6.

[0044] An embodiment of the present invention further discloses a method for fabricating a microprobe structure, the method comprising the steps of: S1: The microprobe is fabricated using standard MEMS fabrication processes. S2: Fabricate at least one electrical contact on the microprobe. S3: Indium bumps are embedded into the microprobe and the integrated circuit chip, respectively. S4: The microprobes with embedded indium bumps are connected to an integrated circuit chip to form a microprobe assembly, and a plurality of the microprobe assemblies are combined by a constraint means to be assembled into a microprobe structure. A plurality of electrical contacts 5 on the microprobe 1 and an indium bump 7 on the microprobe 1 are connected by a connection wire 6. The connection wire is a metal wire made of a metal material, for example, the connection wire is made of gold. In an actual application scenario, the electrical contacts 5 are connected to a first welding point on the microprobe by the connection wire 6, and an indium bump 7 is placed at the first welding point, thereby connecting the electrical contacts 5 and the integrated circuit chip 2.

[0045] In addition, the electrical contacts 5 on the microelectrode 3 may be distributed in the same row or in different rows, and can be arranged according to the width of the microelectrode 3 and the actual situation. When the electrical contacts 5 are distributed in different rows, the electrical contacts 2 of the adjacent rows may be arranged in a shifted manner.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present application, the electrical contacts 5 collect optic nerve signals and transmit the collected optic nerve signals to the integrated circuit chip 2. The integrated circuit chip 2 receives the collected optic nerve signals through some of the electrical contacts 5 and transmits electrical signals to some of the electrical contacts 5, thereby restoring a person's visual perception function. That is, after the microprobe 1 and the integrated circuit chip 2 are connected, a signal input / output function can be realized, the action potential of one nerve cell can be read, and stimulation by weak current can be realized.

[0047] The above examples are merely illustrative of some embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make some modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is subject to the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Microprobe 2. Integrated circuit chips 3 Microelectrode 4 conductors 5 Electrical Contacts 6 Connection Wiring 7 Indium bump 8 Contact Electrode 9. Transistors 10-Silicon Substrate

Claims

1. At least one microprobe is provided, the microprobe having a substrate and at least one microelectrode, the substrate having an arc-shaped structure, and the microelectrode is located outside the substrate. A neural interface system comprising:

2. The apparatus further includes an extracorporeal device, the extracorporeal device including a collection unit and a processing unit.

2. The neural interface system of claim 1.

3. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire an image, and the processing unit is configured to convert the image into a stimulus signal for reproducing a visual sensation.

3. The neural interface system according to claim 2.

4. The extracorporeal device further includes a first wireless coil, and a second wireless coil is disposed on the side of the microprobe. The first wireless coil is for transmitting a stimulation signal, and the second wireless coil is for receiving a stimulation signal.

3. The neural interface system according to claim 2.

5. The microelectrode is implanted in the optic nerve.

2. The neural interface system of claim 1.

6. The neural interface system further comprises a fixing means, by which the microprobe is fixed in the orbit.

6. The neural interface system according to claim 5.

7. At least two of the microelectrodes are of different lengths.

2. The neural interface system of claim 1.

8. The length of the microelectrodes located in the middle region is longer than the length of the microelectrodes located in both edge regions. The neural interface system according to claim 7.

9. The length of the microelectrodes located in the middle region is shorter than the length of the microelectrodes located in both edge regions. The neural interface system according to claim 7.

10. The microprobes are provided in a plurality, and a microprobe structure formed by the plurality of microprobes has an arcuate surface shape. A neural interface system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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