Optically Powered Cell-Scale Sensors for Untethered Neural Readout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless sensing technologies face limitations in miniaturization and scalability, particularly for applications in small organisms like zebra fish or fruit flies, due to tethered electrodes causing residual motion and size constraints of power sources, which hinder accurate neural activity monitoring and chemical signal detection.
Innovation Solution
Development of wireless, optically powered optoelectronic devices with opto-electronic circuitry that converts light into electricity and modulates output light to transmit sensor signals, enabling untethered operation and miniaturization to the cellular scale, using techniques like polymer-assisted transfer of AlGaAs heterostructures onto various substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tethered electrodes are used to monitor neural activities, then electrical connection and power supply are ensured, but residual motion between neurons and electrodes occurs as the brain moves, limiting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/electrical connections with optical connections. Sensors convert neural signals to optical signals that are transmitted through optical waveguides to external detectors, eliminating the need for physical tethered electrodes that cause motion artifacts. This substitution of mechanical systems with optical systems resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable signal transmission without physical contact.
2Measurement precision
If untethered wireless sensors are used to eliminate motion artifacts, then measurement precision improves, but device size and power source constraints limit miniaturization for small organisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source and signal processing functions from the implanted sensor device itself. Instead of requiring large batteries or power sources within the device, the system uses external optical illumination to power the sensors and external detectors to receive signals. This extraction of heavy components enables extreme miniaturization of the implanted device to cellular scales while maintaining untethered operation and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs optoelectronic devices that perform multiple functions: they sense neural signals, convert them to optical signals, and transmit them through optical waveguides. This multi-functionality in a single integrated device eliminates the need for separate power sources and signal transmission components, enabling miniaturization while maintaining precision measurement capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If device size is reduced to cellular scale for small organisms, then applicability to zebra fish and fruit flies improves, but conventional fabrication techniques cannot achieve required miniaturization and integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges sensing, signal conversion, and signal transmission functions into single integrated optoelectronic devices. By combining multiple functions in one device structure, the system achieves cellular-scale miniaturization suitable for small organisms while using conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques, thus resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and manufacturability.
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 high-temporal-resolution, wireless, and parallel monitoring of neural activity and chemical signals at the cellular level without physical connections, overcoming size and motion limitations, and allowing for simultaneous monitoring of multiple devices with high-speed communication.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic module engaged to the substrate and structured to convert light into electricity
Implementation Method 2
a light-emitting module engaged to the substrate and coupled to receive power from the electricity generated by the photovoltaic module and to receive the electrical sensor signal from the sensor module. The light-emitting module is structured to produce output light that is modulated to carry the electrical sensor signal
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed in this patent document can be used to construct devices with opto-electronic circuitry for sensing and identification applications, to provide untethered devices for deployment in living objects and other applications, and to provide fabrication techniques for making such devices for commercial production. As illustrated by specific examples disclosed herein, the disclosed technology can be implemented to provide fabrication methods, substrates, and devices that enable wireless, inorganic cell-scaled sensor and identification systems that are optically-powered and optically-readout.