Neuromorphic Prosthesis with fMEP Circuitry for Spinal Cord Injury
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Spinal cord injuries disrupt communication between the spinal cord and the body, leading to locomotion impairments, as existing technologies lack effective methods for restoring motor functions by recreating the complex neuronal circuitry responsible for motor patterns.
Innovation Solution
A neuromorphic prosthesis system using fMEP-based artificial circuitry to reconstruct the neuronal circuit topology, applying bio-plausible electrical signals for coordinated muscle and nerve stimulation, and employing sensors to detect kinetic and electrophysiological parameters for real-time processing and motor function activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If epidural electrical stimulation is applied to activate spinal locomotor circuits, then motor function restoration is achieved, but the complexity of recreating neuronal circuit topology increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates artificial circuitry that copies the topology and functional characteristics of biological neuronal circuits. By replicating the connectivity patterns and signal processing properties of spinal cord neuronal circuits, the system restores motor function without requiring complete biological circuit integrity. The artificial circuitry serves as a functional substitute for the damaged neuronal pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary artificial circuitry layer between the stimulators and the spinal cord. This intermediary device receives stimulation signals, processes them according to reconstructed neuronal circuit topology, and generates appropriate motor output patterns. The intermediary acts as a bridge that translates simple stimulation inputs into complex coordinated motor responses.
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time sensor data processing is implemented for coordinated stimulation, then motor pattern precision is improved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into multiple independent processing channels, each handling specific sensor data types (electromyography, electrodermal activity, kinematic data). Each channel processes its data independently and feeds into the artificial circuitry, which integrates the processed information to generate coordinated motor patterns. This segmentation reduces computational complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback loops where sensor data from muscles, skin, and joints continuously monitors the motor output. This feedback is processed by the artificial circuitry to adjust stimulation parameters dynamically, ensuring precise motor pattern generation. The feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing physiological conditions without requiring complex predictive models.
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 the restoration of motor functions in individuals with spinal cord injuries by recreating the neuronal circuitry responsible for motor patterns, facilitating coordinated locomotion through bio-compatible and real-time processing of sensory inputs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of stimulators having one or more channels configured to be disposed at various locations of the subject to provide coordinated electrical stimulation of muscle groups, peripheral nerves, plexuses, and spinal cord stimulation
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of sensors configured to detect and communicate continuous or cyclic distribution of body weight, angle joint motions, kinetics, and electrophysiological parameters
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a neuromorphic prosthesis system for facilitating sensorimotor functions in a subject in need thereof. The system incudes a plurality of stimulators having one or more channels configured to be disposed at various locations of the subject to provide an electrical stimulation of muscles groups, peripheral nerves, plexuses and/or spinal cord. The system further includes a plurality of sensors configured to detect and communicate a continues or cyclic distribution of a body weight, an angle joint motions, kinetics and/or electrophysiological parameters data and a plurality of controllers configured to receive a combined data from the plurality of sensors. The controllers are also configured to process the combined data and communicate the combined data to an fMEP-based artificial circuitry device, the fMEP-based artificial circuitry device configured for implementation of a reconstruction of topology of central pattern generator (CPG). The fMEP-based artificial circuitry device is configures to apply a bio-plausible neuronal topology for a motor function pattern and coordinates application of the electrical signals via the plurality of stimulators to the subject in need thereof to perform the motor function pattern.