Optical Probe With Modulator For Selective Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical probes for stimulating or suppressing nerve cells in the brain or spinal cord lack the ability to selectively target specific areas and efficiently extract electrical signals, limiting their effectiveness in research and treatment applications.
Innovation Solution
An optical probe is designed with a light source, waveguides, electrodes, and a modulator that includes rotating mirrors or light condensers to selectively transmit optical signals to specific waveguides, allowing for precise stimulation of nerve cells and simultaneous electrical signal recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single optical probe is used to stimulate nerve cells, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to selectively target specific areas is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical probe is divided into multiple independent waveguides (first waveguide, second waveguide, etc.), each capable of independently transmitting optical signals to different spatial locations. This segmentation allows selective stimulation of different nerve cell areas while maintaining a relatively simple integrated probe structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality by arranging multiple waveguides in different spatial orientations and positions. Each waveguide can be directed toward different target areas, adding a spatial selection dimension to the optical stimulation system without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple waveguides are used to target specific areas, then the selective stimulation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple waveguides are merged into a single integrated optical probe structure, sharing common components such as the light source, modulator, and housing. This combining approach enables precise multi-point targeting while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical probe is designed as a multi-functional device where a single structure performs multiple functions: generating optical signals, modulating them, transmitting through multiple waveguides to different targets, and recording electrical signals. This universality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high targeting precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical signals are transmitted to multiple waveguides simultaneously, then the coverage area is expanded, but the light transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The modulator dynamically controls the optical signal transmission to different waveguides based on experimental requirements. By dynamically routing optical signals only to the waveguides that need active stimulation at any given moment, the system expands coverage area while minimizing energy loss through selective activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The modulator automatically directs optical signals to the appropriate waveguides without requiring external intervention for each stimulation event. This self-service capability ensures efficient light transmission by inherently routing signals only where needed, maintaining high transmission efficiency while providing broad coverage capability.
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 optical probe enables selective stimulation of nerve cells and efficient extraction of electrical signals, enhancing research and treatment capabilities by improving light transmission efficiency and targeting precision.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to generate an optical signal
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of waveguides configured to guide the optical signal to a target
Implementation Method 3
a mirror that rotates around a first direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the plurality of waveguides and reflects the optical signal to the at least one target waveguide
Implementation Method 4
a light condensing element that linearly moves in a first direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the plurality of the waveguides or in a second direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction and the first direction for condensing the optical signal to the at least one target waveguide
Implementation Method 5
a plurality of electrodes configured to record an electrical signal generated by the target
Data Source
AI summary
An optical probe includes a light source configured to generate an optical signal, a plurality of waveguides configured to guide the optical signal to a target, a plurality of electrodes configured to record an electrical signal generated by the target, and a modulator configured to transmit the optical signal of the light source to at least one target waveguide from among the plurality of waveguides.