Osseointegrated Neural Interface for Stable Prosthetic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic control methods, such as implantable myoelectric interfaces and regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces, face challenges with motion artifacts and instability due to soft tissue elements, leading to unpredictable connections between recording electrodes and prosthetic devices, especially in military populations with high rates of peripheral nerve injuries and amputations.
Innovation Solution
An osseointegrated neural interface (ONI) is developed, featuring a hollow rod with electrode arrays and fenestrations for nerve sprout passage, anchored to a bone, allowing stable connection between a peripheral nerve and a prosthetic, using microsurgical techniques and integrated circuitry for signal transmission and stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If soft tissue elements are used for neural interface, then nerve regeneration is facilitated, but motion artifacts and instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bone as an intermediary structure between the neural interface and the external environment. The intramedullary canal serves as a protected pathway that shields the nerve and electrodes from motion-induced disruptions, while still allowing nerve regeneration through the bone structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces soft tissue-based mechanical connections with a rigid bone-based structural framework. The osseointegrated implant provides a stable mechanical anchor that eliminates the motion artifacts inherent in soft tissue interfaces, while maintaining biological compatibility for nerve regeneration.
2Reliability
If peripheral nerve is redirected into intramedullary canal, then connection stability is improved, but surgical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary surgical actions to prepare the intramedullary canal and create fascicular openings before nerve redirection. This pre-preparation simplifies the subsequent nerve insertion process and ensures proper alignment and stability of the nerve within the bone canal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the nerve into fascicular bundles and creates corresponding segmented openings in the bone canal. This segmentation allows for precise placement of individual nerve fascicles into appropriate channels, facilitating stable reinnervation while managing surgical complexity through systematic organization.
3Measurement precision
If electrode arrays are integrated within implant platform, then signal transmission is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrode arrays with the implant platform structure, integrating multiple functions into a single unified component. The implant platform simultaneously provides structural support, houses the electrode arrays for signal recording, and facilitates nerve guidance, thereby improving signal transmission while managing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant platform is designed as a multi-functional universal structure that serves as both a mechanical anchor in the intramedullary canal and a carrier for the electrode arrays. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into one component, improving signal transmission capabilities without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 ONI provides a stable and immobile connection for controlling prosthetics, enhancing the control and sensation of prosthetic limbs by directly interfacing with peripheral nerves, reducing motion artifacts and improving long-term stability and nerve regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
An electrode is receiveable on a terminal end of a peripheral nerve and positionable within the cavity of the rod. The electrode senses the neural signals generated by the peripheral nerve.
Data Source
AI summary
An osseointegrated neural interface (ONI) is provided for control of a prosthetic. The ONI includes an elongated, hollow rod having a first end receivable in an intramedullary cavity of a bone, a second end operatively connected to the prosthetic and an inner surface defining a cavity. An electrode is receiveable on a terminal end of a peripheral nerve and positionable within the cavity of the rod. The electrode being capable of sensing the neural signals generated by the peripheral nerve and stimulating the peripheral nerve. A recording/stimulation unit, receiveable within the cavity of the rod, records the neural signals from the peripheral nerve sensed by the electrode and transmits the signals to a controller operatively connected thereto. The controller controls operation of the prosthetic in response to the neural signals recorded by the recording unit. In addition, the controller receives stimulation signals from a sensor in the prosthetic and causes the electrode to stimulate the peripheral nerve via the recording/stimulation unit in response thereto.