Neural Lattice Device Isolating Single Neurons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biological neural structures are complex and difficult to characterize due to the density of neural material, leading to noisy signals from sensors that include information from multiple neurons, and synthetic neural networks in semiconductor devices do not replicate the functionality of biological neural structures effectively.
Innovation Solution
A neural lattice device is fabricated with a substrate having wells and supply ducts, a channel network for fluid communication, and a reservoir for nutrients, hermetically sealed to cultivate and characterize biological neurons with electrical and chemical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are inserted into biological neural structures to obtain signals, then neural activity can be detected, but the signals become noisy and include information from multiple neurons due to the density of neural material
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the neural measurement problem by providing individual isolated wells for each neuron, allowing separate characterization of individual neuronal activity rather than measuring aggregated signals from multiple neurons simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The device extracts individual neurons from the complex biological neural structure and places them in isolated micro-environments, enabling separate study and characterization of each neuron's behavior without interference from surrounding neural tissue
2Adaptability or versatility
If synthetic neural networks are used in semiconductor devices to mimic biological neural structures, then device functionality can be implemented, but they do not provide the same level of functionality as biological neural structures
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses actual biological neurons as an intermediary between synthetic semiconductor devices and biological neural structures, allowing direct study of genuine neuronal behavior and signals rather than relying on synthetic approximations
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating synthetic copies of neural networks in semiconductor devices, the device captures and studies actual biological neural behavior by culturing real neurons in controlled micro-environments, obtaining authentic neural signals and responses
3Ease of operation
If biological neurons are cultivated in complex neural structures, then neuron behavior can be studied, but the density of neural material makes it difficult to isolate and characterize specific neurons
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the neural cultivation space into discrete isolated wells, with each well containing a single neuron or small group of neurons, enabling easy identification and characterization of specific neurons without the complexity of dense neural structures
Solution Approach 2:
The device creates locally optimized micro-environments in each well with controlled nutrient supply, waste removal, and stimulation capabilities, allowing tailored cultivation conditions for studying specific neuronal behaviors without affecting other neurons
Data Source
AI summary
A neural lattice device includes a substrate having formed therein one or more wells and one or more supply ducts. A channel network includes one or more channels configured to establish fluid communication among the at least one well and the at least one supply duct. A reservoir is coupled to the substrate and configured to hold a fluid, and a cover is disposed against an upper surface of the substrate and configured to hermetically seal the wells, the supply ducts and the channel network.