Wireless Optogenetic Device Using Upconversion Nanoparticles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optogenetic techniques for controlling neural activities in animals are limited by the need for implanted optic fibers, which restrict animal movement and complicate behavioral analysis due to constraints on light delivery, leading to tissue damage and photo-toxicity from prolonged visible light exposure.
Innovation Solution
A wireless optogenetic device that uses light transducing materials to up-convert infrared or near-infrared radiation into visible light for neural stimulation, eliminating the need for implanted light sources and allowing animals to move freely, with a radiation system for remote delivery of electromagnetic radiation to the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If implanted optic fibers are used for light delivery, then precise neural stimulation is achieved, but animal movement is restricted and behavioral analysis is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the implanted device and places it externally. The implant contains only light-transducing materials (upconversion nanoparticles) that convert externally delivered infrared light to visible light, eliminating the need for implanted optic fibers and external light source connections, thereby freeing animal movement while maintaining stimulation precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces infrared light as an intermediary carrier. Instead of directly implanting visible light sources or fibers, the system uses externally delivered infrared light (which penetrates tissue deeply) as a mediator that is then converted by upconversion nanoparticles into the visible light needed for neural stimulation, solving both the movement restriction and tissue damage problems
2Reliability
If visible light is used for neural stimulation, then neural cell activity is effectively controlled, but tissue penetration is limited and photo-toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the illumination light from visible spectrum to infrared spectrum. Infrared light has longer wavelength and deeper tissue penetration capability. The upconversion nanoparticles then convert this infrared light back to visible light locally at the target site, achieving both deep penetration and effective neural stimulation with reduced photo-toxicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of infrared light (inability to directly stimulate most optogenetic tools) into a benefit by using upconversion nanoparticles that transform infrared light into visible light. This allows the use of infrared's deep penetration advantage while still achieving effective neural control through the generated visible light
3Ease of operation
If implanted light sources are used, then wireless control is achieved, but device complexity and surgical constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source function from the implant entirely, leaving only the passive light-transducing materials in the implant. The active light generation is performed externally, dramatically simplifying the implant structure to just a small container holding upconversion nanoparticles, eliminating batteries, LEDs, and associated power management systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of implanted light sources (batteries, circuits, LEDs) with an optical system using upconversion nanoparticles. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical and electrical components from the implant, reducing it to a simple passive optical element that converts light wavelengths
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
Enables precise and safe neural stimulation with minimal tissue damage, allowing for deeper tissue penetration and reduced photo-induced damage, while enabling multiple devices to be used simultaneously without constraining animal behavior.
Implementation Method 1
light transducing materials which, when exposed to an electromagnetic radiation in infrared or near-infrared spectrum, are arranged to up-convert the electromagnetic radiation into light in visible spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless optogenetic device in proximity to a neural cell of a subject includes a body configured to hold light transducing materials arranged to up-convert electromagnetic radiation in infrared or near-infrared spectrum into light in the visible spectrum to affect activity of the neural cell. The body allows electromagnetic radiation in infrared or near-infrared to reach the light transducing materials. A radiation system includes a radiation probe for irradiating a wireless optogenetic device with electromagnetic radiation in infrared or near-infrared spectrum from a radiation source. The system further includes a movement mechanism for moving the radiation probe, a detector for detecting a location of the wireless optogenetic device, and a controller for controlling the movement mechanism based on the detected location of the wireless optogenetic device such that the radiation probe is arranged to irradiate the wireless optogenetic device at the detected location with the electromagnetic radiation.