Multicellular Neural Signal Processing for Stable Ambulation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neural interface systems face challenges in identifying and stabilizing electrical signals of adequate amplitude for controlling external devices, particularly for patients with conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, due to signal degradation over time and limited specificity and resolution of control signals from neural data.
Innovation Solution
A biological interface apparatus that collects and processes multicellular signals from a patient using a sensor with multiple electrodes, transmitting these signals to a processing unit to control devices such as exoskeletons or Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) devices, improving ambulation and movement assistance with data transfer between the ambulation assist apparatus and the biological interface apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If neural interface systems use individual neuron signals for control, then control specificity and resolution are improved, but signal stability and amplitude adequacy deteriorate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines signals from multiple neurons into a collective control signal, merging individual neuron contributions to achieve both adequate amplitude and stable control over time. This pooling approach maintains control resolution while improving signal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes multiple types of neural signals (individual neuron spikes, local field potentials, electrocorticogram signals) through a unified processing framework, allowing the same interface to handle diverse signal sources with different characteristics to achieve reliable control.
2Reliability
If neural interface systems use local field potentials or electrocorticogram signals, then signal stability is improved, but control specificity and resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges local field potential signals from multiple recording sites with individual neuron spike signals, combining the stability benefits of LFPs with the resolution benefits of single-unit activity to achieve both reliability and precision in control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control signal is constructed as a composite of multiple neural signal types (LFPs, ECoG, and individual neuron spikes), similar to composite materials that combine different properties to achieve superior overall performance compared to single-component solutions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If neural signals change over time, then system adaptability is improved, but control reliability deteriorates due to signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic signal processing that adapts to changing neural signals over time through continuous calibration and adjustment of processing parameters, allowing the system to maintain reliable control despite temporal variations in neural activity patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor signal quality and control performance over time, automatically adjusting processing parameters to compensate for signal degradation and maintain consistent control reliability across extended usage periods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a stable and specific control mechanism for patient movement, enhancing the safety and reliability of ambulation and movement assistance for patients with impaired motor functions, such as paraplegics and quadriplegics, by adapting to changes in neural signals and integrating with assistive technologies like exoskeletons and FES devices.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor for detecting multicellular signals, the sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of an ambulation system and a movement assist system are disclosed. For example, an ambulation system for a patient may comprise a biological interface apparatus and an ambulation assist apparatus. The biological interface apparatus may comprise a sensor having a plurality of electrodes for detecting multicellular signals, a processing unit configured to receive the multicellular signals from the sensor, process the multicellular signals to produce a processed signal, and transmit the processed signal to a controlled device. The ambulation assist apparatus may comprise a rigid structure configured to provide support between a portion of the patient's body and a surface. Data may be transferred from the ambulation assist apparatus to the biological interface apparatus.