Wireless Gastric Optogenetic Device for Durable Vagus Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for optogenetic manipulation of peripheral neural circuits, particularly the vagus nerve, lack organ-specificity and durability, especially in awake animals, and are limited by mechanical constraints and inefficiencies in wireless power delivery.
Innovation Solution
Development of a biocompatible, wireless optogenetic device with a pre-curved, sandwiched tether configuration and a dual-coil antenna system for precise optogenetic stimulation of peripheral neurons, enabling long-term, organ-specific manipulation of nerve endings, and a multiplexing strategy for powering multiple cages with a single RF transmitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gastric bypass surgery is performed to treat obesity, then weight loss is achieved, but the procedure is very invasive and prolongs the recovery period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical surgical intervention (gastric bypass surgery) with an optogenetic stimulation system that uses light to activate vagus nerve endings in the stomach. This substitution eliminates the need for invasive surgical procedures while achieving similar therapeutic effects for obesity treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a wireless device, RF transmitter, and optogenetic tools that mediate between the external control system and the vagus nerve. This intermediary approach allows for non-invasive stimulation of nerve endings, avoiding direct surgical manipulation of the stomach and digestive tract.
2Measurement precision
If conventional optogenetic methods are used for peripheral neural manipulation, then neural stimulation is achieved, but the methods lack organ-specificity and durability in awake animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by delivering light stimulation specifically to vagus nerve endings located in the stomach wall, rather than general peripheral nerves. This localized approach achieves organ-specificity (stomach-targeted stimulation) while maintaining durability through chronic implantation in awake animals, as the stimulation is precisely confined to the intended target organ.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a wireless, movable device that can dynamically stimulate nerve endings in awake, freely moving animals. The system adapts to animal movement and maintains functional connection without rigid mechanical constraints, enabling long-term durability in awake conditions rather than requiring anesthetized or immobilized states.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless optogenetic device is implanted for chronic stimulation, then organ-specific manipulation is achieved, but mechanical strain and durability challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible tethers and thin-film structures to deliver light to the stomach wall. These flexible components can accommodate mechanical strain from animal movement and stomach expansion without breaking, maintaining organ-specific manipulation capability while improving mechanical durability through material flexibility rather than rigidity.
4Productivity
If multiple cages are powered individually for high-throughput studies, then behavioral studies can be conducted, but power delivery efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent power delivery systems into a single RF transmitter that can wirelessly power multiple cages simultaneously. This consolidation maintains high-throughput behavioral study capability by enabling parallel experimentation across multiple subjects while improving power delivery efficiency by using one transmitter instead of multiple separate transmitters, reducing overall energy loss.
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 allows for precise, chronic optogenetic stimulation of peripheral neurons, revealing the role of gastric chemosensors in appetite suppression and enabling high-throughput behavioral studies, with improved durability and reduced mechanical strain, and efficient power management.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic circuit, such that the electronic circuit is configured to harvest and convert radio frequency (RF) energy into optical energy
Implementation Method 2
a tether having a μLED, where the μLED illuminates targeted regions in the organ
Implementation Method 3
the μLED illuminates targeted regions in the stomach of the subject
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to an organ-specific wireless optogenetic device. In some embodiments, the device includes an electronic circuit, such that the electronic circuit is configured to harvest and convert radio frequency (RF) energy into optical energy and a tether having a μLED, where the μLED illuminates targeted regions in the organ. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of treating obesity. In general, the method includes implanting an organ-specific wireless optogenetic device into a subject, activating an RF-power system to produce RF energy, harvesting, by the organ-specific wireless optogenetic device, the RF energy, converting, by the organ-specific wireless optogenetic device, the RF energy into optical energy, illuminating, by the μLED, targeted regions in the stomach of the subject, and stimulating nerve endings to thereby suppress appetite in the subject.