Optogenetic Neural Probe with Waveguide Light Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optogenetic techniques face challenges in effectively stimulating and inhibiting nerve cells and extracting nerve signals due to the large size of external light sources and limitations of optical fibers, which hinder their use in three-dimensional neural tissue structures.
Innovation Solution
An optogenetic neural probe device with an independent optical device array chip and optical waveguide technology, allowing for physical separation of the light source from biological tissue and enabling scalable design for efficient optical signal transmission and reception in three-dimensional neural tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If external light sources are used for optogenetic stimulation, then light can be delivered to nerve cells, but the large size of light sources and complex optical systems make it difficult to insert into living organisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple independent components: light sources are integrated onto a probe substrate alongside neural recording electrodes, separating the illumination function from external bulky light sources. This segmentation allows the light delivery system to be miniaturized and inserted into living organisms while maintaining effective illumination intensity at the target nerve cells
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds light-emitting elements directly within the probe structure, nesting the optical components inside the same substrate that holds neural electrodes. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple functions (stimulation and recording) into a single integrated probe, dramatically reducing the overall system volume while preserving light delivery capability
2Measurement precision
If optical fibers are used to transmit light to nerve cells, then light can be delivered to specific locations, but the structure of optical fibers limits transmission to areas other than the end of the fiber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the single-point light delivery of optical fibers with multiple light-emitting elements distributed across the probe substrate. Each element can independently illuminate specific regions, enabling precise light delivery to multiple nerve cell locations simultaneously while maintaining the ability to target specific areas with individual elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional light transmission through an optical fiber to two-dimensional or three-dimensional light delivery across the probe substrate surface. This dimensional expansion allows light to reach nerve cells in multiple directions and planes, greatly enhancing versatility for studying three-dimensional neural tissue structures
3Volume of moving object
If separate light sources are integrated into a probe-type electrode for each illumination area, then small light emitters can be used, but the light sources located directly adjacent to nerve cells increase the risk of thermal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical waveguide as an intermediary component between the light-emitting elements and the nerve cells. The waveguide channels light from the sources to the target tissue, allowing spatial separation between the light generation point and the illumination point. This intermediary structure reduces thermal damage risk by distancing heat-generating components from sensitive neural tissue while maintaining effective light delivery
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 facilitates precise stimulation and signal extraction in three-dimensional neural tissue by reducing thermal damage risks and improving optical signal input/output efficiency, enabling effective research on neural tissue structures.
Implementation Method 1
an optical waveguide on the optical neural probe substrate... configured to transmit the optical signal emitted from the optical device group to the optical signal input/output port through the optical waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
An optogenetic neural probe device for transmitting an optical signal to a nerve cell or receiving a fluorescent signal from the nerve cell, including: an optical device alignment substrate; an optical device group on the optical device alignment substrate and including one or more optical devices; and one or more optogenetic neural probes, wherein each optogenetic neural probe from among the one or more optogenetic neural probes may include an optical neural probe substrate, an optical waveguide on the optical neural probe substrate, and an optical signal input/output port, wherein the optogenetic neural probe is configured to transmit the optical signal emitted from the optical device group to the optical signal input/output port through the optical waveguide.