Arc-Shaped Microneedle for Optic Nerve Signal Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current optic nerve implant electrodes are patch-type and cannot collect or stimulate individual neuron cells, limiting their ability to restore visual function in blind individuals.
Innovation Solution
A microneedle with arc-shaped microprobes and integrated microelectrodes, such as Utah or optogenetic electrodes, is used in conjunction with a neural interface system to read or stimulate optic nerve signals, featuring a biocompatible attachment unit and connecting lines for attachment to the eyeball, enabling precise signal collection and stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If patch-type electrodes are used for optic nerve implant, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the signal collection capability is limited to nerve clusters and cannot detect single neuron action potentials
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into multiple microneedles with individual microelectrodes at their tips, allowing each microelectrode to contact and detect signals from individual neurons or small groups of neurons, thereby achieving single-neuron resolution while maintaining a manageable overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode design transitions from a two-dimensional patch structure to a three-dimensional array of microneedles, enabling penetration into the nerve tissue and contact with individual neurons at different depths, thus achieving single-neuron detection capability
2Measurement precision
If multiple microelectrodes are integrated into the microneedle array, then spatial resolution and signal accuracy are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple microelectrodes are merged into a single integrated circuit chip, which is then bonded to the microneedle array. This integration simplifies manufacturing by allowing the use of standard IC fabrication processes and reduces the number of discrete components that need to be assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit chip serves multiple functions: it provides the microelectrodes for signal detection, integrates the wiring and connections, and potentially provides signal processing capabilities, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the increased number of measurement points
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a microneedle and a neural interface system. The microneedle comprises at least one microneedle body, wherein the microneedle body comprises a lining plate (5) and at least one body electrode (1), and the lining plate (5) is of an arc-shaped structure. The microneedle body has the form of an arc-shaped structure and can wrap an optic nerve (6), so as to facilitate the reading of an optic nerve signal, or stimulate the optic nerve (6) by means of the body electrode (1) so as to generate artificial vision in a visual center.