Plasma-Treated P-Type Silicon Biointerface for Optical Cell Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implantable devices for treating diseases through extracellular electrical stimulation are bulky, mechanically invasive, and lack the ability to target single cells without genetic modifications, while optical stimulation methods using photodiodes are difficult to administer and have unknown chronic cellular effects due to heat.

Innovation Solution

O2 plasma-treated p-type silicon devices are used to create biointerfaces with cells, allowing for optical modulation of cellular activity without genetic manipulation, mimicking natural extracellular signals and providing sub-cellular specificity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extracellular electrical stimulation devices are used to treat diseases, then treatment efficacy is achieved, but device bulkiness and mechanical invasiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoiddevice bulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/electrical stimulation systems with optical stimulation systems. Specifically, it uses photovoltaic silicon substrates that convert light into electrical signals to stimulate cells, eliminating the need for bulky mechanical electrodes and wires while maintaining treatment efficacy through non-invasive optical delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the stimulation modality from electrical to optical parameters. By using light wavelengths that can penetrate tissue and activate photovoltaic materials, the system achieves similar therapeutic effects without the mechanical bulkiness of traditional electrical stimulation devices, effectively transitioning from one physical parameter domain to another.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If photodiode substrates are used for photovoltaic stimulation, then optical stimulation capability is achieved, but administration difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical stimulation capabilityVSAvoidadministration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces silicon substrates as an intermediary material that bridges optical and biological systems. These substrates can be delivered via established medical administration routes (such as inhalation or injection of silicon-containing compounds) and then convert optical energy to electrical signals at the target site, simplifying administration while maintaining optical stimulation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If photothermally-modulating materials are used, then drug-like administration is achieved, but unknown chronic cellular effects from heat occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug-like administrationVSAvoidchronic cellular effects from heat

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes thermal mechanisms with photovoltaic mechanisms. Instead of using materials that modulate cells through heat (thermal field), it employs silicon substrates that convert light directly into electrical signals (electrical field), thereby achieving drug-like administration without the harmful chronic cellular effects associated with thermal modulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If optogenetics is used for cellular modulation, then sub-cellular specificity is achieved, but genetic modifications are required which are difficult to implement in vivo

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesub-cellular specificityVSAvoidgenetic modification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses silicon substrates as an intermediary that provides sub-cellular specificity without requiring genetic modification of target cells. The silicon materials can be delivered systemically and then locally activated by light to stimulate specific cell types through photovoltaic effects, achieving the precision of optogenetics while avoiding the complexity of in vivo genetic engineering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 silicon devices effectively modulate cellular activity, enabling targeted treatment of diseases such as cardiovascular and neuronal disorders by optically training myocardium to beat at a target frequency, reducing mechanical invasiveness and energy requirements.

Implementation Method 1

optical stimulation techniques, where organic or inorganic photodiode substrates are used for photovoltaic stimulation of cells

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

Silicon materials, however, have not been widely used largely due to the limited understanding of the physicochemical processes at the material surfaces under physiological conditions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250360331A1Methods and systems for modulating cellular activation

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

AI summary

This disclosure relates to methods for modulating activity of cells and tissue with materials that are capable of being activated by light, such methods useful for treating diseases. The disclosure also provides devices and systems suitable for use in such methods, particularly devices and systems having oxygen plasma-treated p-type (boron) silicon.