Hermetically Sealed Optoelectronic Neural Probe
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrophysiological methods for recording and stimulating neurons lack spatial and temporal precision due to large probe sizes and invasive procedures, limiting their effectiveness in neural tissue applications, particularly for connecting biological systems with external units like prosthetics.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed optoelectronic structure with emitters and detectors configured for optical and electrical signal transmission and reception, allowing for minimally invasive implantation and external interrogation, featuring a signal processing circuitry and optical connectors for precise communication with biological targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrophysiological probes are used for recording and stimulating neurons, then neural signals can be detected and stimulated, but the probe size becomes large (millimeter scale) resulting in poor spatial precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical probes with an optoelectronic system that uses optical fibers and light-based emitters/detectors. This substitution enables micron-scale precision in neural targeting while maintaining signal detection and stimulation capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between probe size and spatial precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from three-dimensional electrical probe structures to a combination of optical fibers and surface-mounted emitters/detectors. This dimensional reconfiguration allows for precise spatial control at the micrometer scale while keeping the overall implant footprint minimal, addressing the spatial precision issue.
2Reliability
If traditional neural probes are implanted, then neural recording and stimulation is achieved, but the procedures are highly invasive causing tissue degradation and complications
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing invasive electrical probes with an optoelectronic system using optical fibers and surface emitters, the patent minimizes tissue penetration and mechanical disruption. This substitution reduces inflammation and foreign body responses, thereby improving tissue stability and reducing degradation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-film optical components and flexible optical fibers that can be implanted with minimal tissue disruption. These thin-film structures reduce mechanical stress on surrounding neural tissue while maintaining functional capabilities, thus improving tissue stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optogenetic tools are used for in vivo studies, then selective activation of engineered cells is achieved, but the procedures remain highly invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical fibers and light-based emitters to deliver optogenetic stimuli, replacing invasive electrical or mechanical optogenetic tools. This optical approach achieves selective activation of genetically engineered cells with minimal tissue disruption, maintaining versatility while reducing invasiveness.
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 precise detection and stimulation of neural tissue with reduced invasiveness, improving spatial and temporal control, and facilitating biological links between the nervous system and external units, such as prosthetics, while minimizing tissue degradation.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber optically coupled to the hermetically sealed unit... the optical fiber is configured to transmit an optical signal from an external unit to the hermetically sealed unit and to receive an optical signal from the hermetically sealed unit
Implementation Method 2
one or more emitters, where at least one emitter is configured to transmit a target input to a biological target and where the target input is a first optical and/or electrical signal
Implementation Method 3
one or more detectors, where at least one detector is configured to receive a target output from the biological target and where the target output is a second optical and/or electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a biological probe structure, as well as apparatuses, systems, and methods employing this structure. In particular embodiments, the structure includes a hermetically sealed unit configured to receive and transmit one or more optical signals. Furthermore, the structure can be implanted subcutaneously and interrogated externally. In this manner, a minimally invasive method can be employed to detect, treat, and/or assess the biological target. Additional methods and systems are also provided.