Stretchable Neuromorphic Nerve Circuit With Proprioceptive Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current neurorehabilitation devices for spinal cord injuries and motor neuron diseases face challenges such as high power consumption, heating issues, lack of plasticity, and unpredictable muscle contractions due to constant electric pulses, limiting their effectiveness in restoring natural movement and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A low-power stretchable neuromorphic nerve device with an artificial proprioceptor and synapse system that mimics biological responses, using semiconducting structures and ion gel dielectric layers to provide proprioceptive feedback and control muscle movements, forming a closed feedback loop to prevent excessive muscle contraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If integrated circuits based on von Neumann architecture are used in neurorehabilitation devices, then device functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases and heating problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidheating problems

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional von Neumann architecture integrated circuits with a neuromorphic circuit system that mimics biological neural networks. This substitution eliminates the need for complex sequential processing hardware, reducing power consumption and heat generation while maintaining device functionality for neurorehabilitation applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the circuit system by adopting event-driven spike-based communication instead of continuous clocked operation. This parameter change significantly reduces average power consumption and eliminates heating problems associated with traditional high-frequency clocked circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If constant amplitude electric pulses are used for muscle stimulation, then muscle contraction is achieved, but sudden and rapid contraction occurs and muscle contraction force becomes unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle contraction controlVSAvoidmuscle contraction force predictability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of stimulation parameters by using neuromorphic circuits that can adapt pulse amplitude, width, and frequency based on real-time feedback from proprioceptive sensors. This dynamic adjustment enables predictable and controlled muscle contraction forces while avoiding sudden rapid contractions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates proprioceptive feedback loops where sensors detect muscle state and body position, and this information is fed back to the neuromorphic stimulation circuit. The circuit uses this feedback to continuously adjust stimulation parameters, ensuring predictable and safe muscle contraction forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If artificial synapses emulate biological synaptic responses, then natural movement is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynaptic potentiation responseVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates simplified copies of biological synapse functionality using neuromorphic circuit elements that replicate essential synaptic behaviors like potentiation and depression. These copied functions are implemented through analog circuit mechanisms rather than complex digital emulation, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability for natural movement control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 device effectively reduces power consumption, enhances natural movement, and improves patient comfort by emulating synaptic potentiation and proprioceptive feedback, allowing for controlled and stable muscle contractions, thereby restoring motor functions with reduced risk of muscle damage.

Implementation Method 1

an artificial synapse constituted by a semiconducting structure receiving a signal from the artificial proprioceptor device and outputting, to a living organ, a post-synaptic signal capable of controlling the living organ

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSynaptic transmission:

Implementation Method 2

an artificial proprioceptor device that emulates an animal's proprioceptor and provides proprioceptive feedback to external stimuli, nerve stimuli, or body movements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20240350800A1Low-power stretchable neuromorphic nerve device with proprioceptive feedback

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION

AI summary

Disclosed herein are a neuromorphic nerve device including an artificial proprioceptor device and an artificial synapse, and a neuromorphic prosthetic device using the same. The neuromorphic nerve device in accordance with the present disclosure is simple in structure, is drivable with low power, and excellent in stretchability, so that a robot made of a soft material similar to a human or an animal can be made, and a neuromorphic prosthetic device that is comfortable for a user to wear can be made possible.