Wireless Neural Interface Antenna Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implanted wireless systems face challenges in transmitting data through tissue due to signal attenuation, requiring multiple devices or reducing tissue thickness, which increases invasiveness and risks surgical complications, and struggle with power supply and alignment issues, limiting the effectiveness of chronic neural interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device system with shielded antenna arrays operating on the same or overlapping frequency spectrum, designed for specific tissue thicknesses, and incorporating a closed-loop control system with multiple antennas for efficient data transmission and stimulation, allowing for reliable communication and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple devices are used to transmit data through tissue, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and surgical invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antenna functions into a single implantable device, integrating both transmitting and receiving antennas within one housing. This merging approach maintains reliable data transmission through tissue while reducing the number of separate surgical implantations needed, thereby decreasing overall device complexity and surgical invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes spatial arrangement of multiple antennas within a single device, positioning them at different orientations and locations to achieve diverse transmission paths through tissue. This dimensional approach allows reliable data transmission without requiring multiple separate devices, as the antennas work cooperatively from a single implantation site.
2Productivity
If tissue thickness is reduced to improve signal transmission, then data transmission rate is improved, but surgical invasiveness and patient risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs frequency hopping and modulation technique changes to optimize signal transmission through varying tissue thicknesses. By dynamically adjusting transmission parameters rather than relying on reduced tissue thickness, the system achieves high data transmission rates while maintaining safe surgical procedures with standard implantation depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses adaptive modulation and frequency selection that dynamically adjusts to the actual tissue thickness and signal conditions. This dynamic approach allows the device to maintain optimal data transmission rates regardless of the patient's anatomical variations, eliminating the need to reduce tissue thickness during surgery.
3Stability of the object's composition
If shielding is added around antennas to reduce interference, then signal stability is improved, but wireless transmission capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies selective shielding where partial shielding structures are positioned around specific antenna elements rather than complete enclosure. This local quality approach provides targeted interference reduction for each antenna while leaving sufficient openings to maintain wireless transmission capability, achieving signal stability without sacrificing operational effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial shielding that provides just enough interference protection to stabilize signals without the excessive shielding that would block wireless transmission. The shielding extent is optimized to be sufficient for stability but not so extensive as to impede the wireless communication function.
4Productivity
If multiple antennas operate on the same frequency to increase data rate, then productivity is improved, but signal interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs frequency hopping spread spectrum where multiple antennas transmit on the same frequency at different time intervals. This periodic action allows high data transmission rates through coordinated time-division multiplexing while minimizing signal interference between simultaneous transmissions from multiple antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where each antenna monitors signal conditions and adjusts its transmission timing and power levels accordingly. This feedback control enables multiple antennas to operate on the same frequency at high data rates while dynamically minimizing interference through coordinated transmission patterns.
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 enhances data transmission rates, reduces surgical risks, and enables more robust closed-loop control, allowing for the monitoring and stimulation of neural activity with increased channel counts and reduced overhead, improving the study and treatment of various anatomical and neurological conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first antenna within the housing and configured to transmit neural data wirelessly to an external device; and a second antenna within the housing and configured to transmit neural data wirelessly to an external device
Implementation Method 2
housings that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A device system and method for wirelessly communicating through tissue is provided. The device system comprises an implanted device with an array of antennas aligned with a tandem device with an array of antennas outside of the body. The two devices wirelessly communicate in a bi-directional manner. The implanted device can act as a physiological sensor and stimulator, and the external device can act as a controller and relay. Such configurations allow for a range of uses within research and clinical settings.