Neural Interface Demultiplexing Brain Signals for Spinal Cord Injury
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with cervical spinal cord injuries face challenges in perceiving sensory signals from paralyzed body parts, limiting their ability to accurately control motor functions using existing Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) systems, as they rely on visual feedback rather than tactile sensations.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize an electrical brain signal monitoring interface, an FES device, and an electronic processor to demultiplex electrical brain signals into motor intention and sensory signals, allowing for haptic feedback and improved control of paralyzed body parts by integrating afferent sensory information into the BCI/FES system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual feedback is used for motor control, then patients can observe motor operations, but patients cannot perceive tactile sensations and critical contact points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of electrodes implanted in the motor cortex and FES electrodes on the paralyzed limb, coupled with a processor that demultiplexes neural signals. This intermediary system bridges the gap between brain intent and limb action, enabling both motor control and tactile feedback without requiring direct visual observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual feedback system with an electrical/neural system. Instead of relying on visual observation of motor operations, the system uses electrical electrodes to directly interface with neural signals and deliver tactile feedback through electrical stimulation, substituting the mechanical visual feedback loop with an electrical neural interface.
2Productivity
If BCI/FES system is used to control paralyzed portions, then motor function can be restored, but sensory perception from paralyzed portions cannot be perceived
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where FES electrodes on the paralyzed limb are coupled with sensors that detect tactile sensations. These sensations are transmitted through the spinal cord to the motor cortex, where they modulate ongoing motor commands. This feedback loop allows patients to perceive tactile information from their paralyzed limb and use it to refine motor control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the neural interface system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both motor control (efferent) and sensory perception (afferent) functions. The same electrode array in the motor cortex serves dual purposes: delivering motor commands to the FES system and receiving tactile feedback from the paralyzed limb, thereby restoring both motor and sensory capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If demultiplexing of electrical brain signals is performed, then motor intention and sensory signals can be separated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex neural signal into distinct components - motor intention signals and sensory signals - using demultiplexing algorithms. This segmentation allows the system to process and respond to different types of neural information independently, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through structured signal decomposition.
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
Enables patients to regain sensory perception and motor control by decoding residual sensory signals from the brain, providing haptic feedback and enhancing the sense of agency and motor performance, thereby improving the functionality of paralyzed limbs.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical brain signal monitoring interface configured to record at least one electrical brain signal of the patient
Implementation Method 2
an FES device configured to connect via FES electrodes with a paralyzed portion of the patient that is paralyzed due to the spinal cord injury and to control the paralyzed portion of the patient by applying FES to the paralyzed portion of the patient via the FES electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
At least one electrical brain signal is received from a patient and is demultiplexed into an efferent motor intention signal and at least one afferent sensory signal (such as an afferent touch sense signal and/or an afferent proprioception signal). A demultiplexed afferent touch sense signal may be used to control a haptic device.