Neurotransmitter Signal Evaluation in Axon Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods cannot evaluate neurotransmission signals conducted through an axon bundle, such as in 3D organoids, due to the complex structure and overlapping axons, which hinders research in neurodegenerative disease studies.
Innovation Solution
An evaluation method and apparatus that estimate the baseline of signal waveforms, group peaks corresponding to individual axons, calculate similarity between signal waveforms from different electrodes, and determine conduction time using asymmetric least squares and inner product values, allowing for accurate assessment of neurotransmission signals in axon bundles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If 3D organoids with axon bundles are used to study neurodegenerative diseases, then the structural similarity to human nerve cells is improved, but the ability to measure neurotransmission signals deteriorates due to overlapping axons and bundle complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex axon bundle signal into individual axon components by detecting peak groups in the signal waveform. Each peak group corresponds to a specific axon, allowing the system to analyze individual axon signals within the bundle rather than treating the bundle as an undifferentiated mass. This segmentation enables precise measurement of neurotransmission in each axon while maintaining the natural bundled structure of the 3D organoid.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple measurement electrodes are used to capture signals from different positions, then the coverage of axon bundle detection is improved, but the complexity of signal processing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signal processing approach by using multiple measurement electrodes to detect signals from different positions along the axon bundle simultaneously. The system combines the data from all electrodes and applies unified peak group detection algorithms to identify axon signals across the entire bundle. This merging approach maintains comprehensive detection coverage while using a consistent processing methodology across all electrode inputs.
3Measurement precision
If baseline estimation and subtraction are performed on complex axon bundle signals, then the signal waveform clarity is improved, but the computational processing time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary baseline estimation and subtraction before peak detection and axon signal analysis. By removing the baseline component first, the system simplifies the subsequent processing steps and makes peak group detection more efficient. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden of later analysis by working with a pre-processed, baseline-corrected signal rather than the raw complex waveform.
Data Source
AI summary
An evaluation method for evaluating a neurotransmission signal that is conducted through an axon bundle includes: performing a leveling that estimates a baseline of a signal waveform and subtracts an estimated baseline from the signal waveform; grouping a plurality of peaks that is contained in the signal waveform after the leveling into a plurality of groups each corresponding to one of the axons included in the axon bundle; calculating a similarity between a first signal waveform acquired by a first measurement electrode among a plurality of measurement electrodes and a second signal waveform acquired by a second measurement electrode, which is distinct from the first measurement electrode, after the grouping; and calculating a signal conduction time between the first measurement electrode and the second measurement electrode, based on a calculated similarity.