VCSEL Arrays for Selective Nerve Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neuromodulation technologies face limitations in precision and selectivity when stimulating specific nerve fibers, particularly in the peripheral and central nervous systems, due to the spread of electrical signals affecting multiple nerve fibers, which is inadequate for applications requiring fine motor control and sensory differentiation.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical and/or electrical stimulation methods, specifically employing infrared laser technology to generate nerve action potentials with higher precision, allowing for the stimulation of individual nerve pathways and channels, particularly through the use of VCSEL arrays and fiber-optic bundles that deliver light directly to targeted nerve tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrical stimulation is used to stimulate nerve fibers, then nerve action potentials can be generated, but the electrical signals spread to multiple nerve fibers reducing precision and selectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical stimulation with optical stimulation using infrared laser light to activate nerve fibers. This substitution eliminates the spread problem inherent in electrical fields, as optical energy can be precisely directed at specific nerve fibers without affecting adjacent fibers, thereby achieving high precision and selectivity in neural stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (infrared laser light) to transfer energy to nerve fibers. This intermediary allows precise targeting of specific nerve fibers through optical focusing, avoiding the harmful spread effect of electrical signals while maintaining effective neural activation.
2Reliability
If electrical stimulation is used to stimulate nerves, then nerve functions can be restored, but stimulation artifacts are generated that interfere with signal detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical stimulation for electrical stimulation to restore nerve functions. This replacement eliminates stimulation artifacts that contaminate recorded neural signals, as optical energy does not produce the electrical interference that plagues conventional electrical stimulation methods, thereby improving signal detection reliability.
3Measurement precision
If optical stimulation is used to stimulate individual nerve pathways, then precision and selectivity are improved, but device complexity increases due to VCSEL arrays and fiber-optic bundles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs segmented optical delivery through multiple VCSELs arranged in arrays, with each VCSEL or small group targeting specific nerve fibers or fascicles. This segmentation enables precise selective stimulation of individual nerve pathways while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture and independent control of optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fiber-optic bundles to deliver optical energy to nerves from multiple spatial dimensions. This multi-dimensional approach allows precise targeting of specific nerve fibers within a bundle by controlling which fibers receive light, achieving high selectivity while consolidating multiple delivery channels into a single integrated structure.
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
This approach enables more precise and selective stimulation of nerve pathways, enhancing the ability to restore sensory and motor functions, improve prosthetic control, and provide therapeutic benefits for conditions like paralysis and sensory deficiencies without the stimulation artifact associated with electrical methods.
Implementation Method 1
The use of optical and/or electrical stimulation methods, specifically employing infrared laser technology to generate nerve action potentials with higher precision
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for making and using devices that generate optical signals, and optionally also electrical signals in combination with one or more such optical signals, to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a sensory-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to treat nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or the central nervous system (CNS) and provide sensations to stimulate and/or simulate “sensory” signals in nerves and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human) to treat other sensory deficiencies (e.g., touch, feel, balance, visual, taste, or olfactory) and provide sensations related to those sensory deficiencies, and/or to stimulate (i.e., trigger) and/or simulate a motor-nerve signal in nerve and/or brain tissue of a living animal (e.g., a human), for example to control a muscle or a robotic prosthesis.