Multimodal Neural Sensing With Transparent Skull Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack the capability to monitor neuronal activity across large brain regions at single-cell resolution and in freely behaving animals, limiting understanding of complex behaviors and traumatic brain injury (TBI) pathophysiology.
Innovation Solution
A system using an optically transparent skull prosthesis and integrated imaging and electrode arrays allows high spatial and temporal resolution imaging and electrical monitoring of brain activity without bone interference, enabling simultaneous optical and electrical recordings in freely moving subjects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional imaging and recording tools are used, then single cell resolution activity monitoring is achieved, but coverage is limited to small local regions only
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the skull into multiple segments, removing specific bone pieces (e.g., temporal bone, part of occipital bone) to create multiple optical access windows. This segmentation allows imaging systems to cover large brain regions while maintaining single-cell resolution through each transparent window, effectively resolving the contradiction between coverage area and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional surface recordings to three-dimensional volumetric imaging through transparent skull windows. By creating optically accessible windows in the skull, the system enables depth-resolved imaging of neuronal activity across large brain volumes, simultaneously achieving both extensive coverage and single-cell resolution.
2Illumination intensity
If the skull is removed to access brain tissue, then optical imaging access is improved, but skull integrity and protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary portions of the skull (specific bone pieces) to create optical windows, rather than removing the entire skull. This selective extraction maintains skull integrity in non-removed regions while providing sufficient optical access for imaging, resolving the contradiction between optical access and skull strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The skull is modified with localized changes - specific regions are removed to create transparent windows while the majority of the skull remains intact. This local modification approach provides optimal optical access at imaging sites while preserving overall skull protection and structural integrity.
3Reliability
If bone is present over the brain, then skull protection is maintained, but optical imaging and electrical recording are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces transparent skull windows as intermediary structures that replace interfering bone tissue. These windows serve as mediators that allow both optical imaging and electrical recording to proceed without bone interference, while still providing structural support and protection. The windows enable reliable simultaneous multimodal recordings by eliminating the harmful blocking effect of bone.
4Stability of the object's composition
If animals are restrained for imaging, then imaging stability is improved, but natural behavior and ecological validity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent skull windows are permanently implanted and integrated into the animal's skull structure, allowing the animal to maintain natural head movements and behaviors without external restraint. The imaging system attaches to these fixed windows, enabling stable recordings that adapt to the animal's natural movements, thus resolving the contradiction between imaging stability and behavioral freedom.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided for imaging and monitoring a tissue, such as a cerebral cortex, of a subject. Access to imaging a tissue, such as cerebral cortex, may be provided by removing a portion of a bone, such as a portion of a skull of the subject. A prosthesis, such as an optically transparent prosthesis, may be used to replace the portion of the skull removed and may be conformed to the same 3D contour of the bone that was removed. A data acquisition system, such as an imaging system, may then be affixed to the skull prosthesis and may be used to acquire image data of the tissue of the subject at high spatial and temporal resolution and without interference from intervening bone material.