Integrated optical neural probe

• US 10,188,304 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diagnostic Biochips, LLC
• Original Assignee: Diagnostic Biochips, Inc.
• Inventors: Jamieson, Brian, Mateo, Jennette
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S
• Application Number:
  US14/234,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20140200431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,380 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2266 with a lens, e.g. ball tipped
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2272 with reflective or refractive surfaces for deflecting the beam A61B2018/2261, A61B2018/2266 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/046 in a matrix array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6868 Brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0612 using probes penetrating tissue; interstitial probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/065 Light sources therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0622 Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue

Abstract

In certain embodiments, a neural probe comprises a substrate comprising elongated shanks for penetrating neural tissue, each comprising a proximal end and a distal end; at least one optical source integral to the neural probe for illuminating the neural tissue; and microelectrodes located proximate the distal end of the elongated shanks for monitoring neuronal activity. In certain embodiments, a method of monitoring neuronal activity comprises implanting the neural probe into a test subject such that the elongated shanks protrude into neural tissue of the test subject; illuminating the neural tissue with the at least one optical source; and measuring neuronal activity in response to illuminating the neural tissue. In certain embodiments, a device comprises a semiconductor chip; at least one optical source integral to the semiconductor chip; and sensor elements integral to the semiconductor chip for collecting data responsive to light emitted from the at least one optical source.

Claims

1. A neural probe comprising a headstage connected to one or more elongated shanks, wherein

the headstage comprises a high-intensity LED;

each elongated shank is formed from MEMS silicon and comprises at least one optical fiber, at least one groove, and at least one SUB waveguide, wherein each optical fiber is aligned in one groove to one waveguide; and

the LED is connected to each optical fiber via a coupler, wherein the coupler comprises ceramic, stainless steel, and brass, and wherein the coupler is fixed onto the LED with a UV-curable adhesive.

2. The neural probe of claim 1, further comprising readout circuitry electrically connected to one or more microelectrodes located proximate a distal end of the one or more elongated shanks.

3. The neural probe of claim 2, wherein the readout circuitry comprises one or more readout electrodes electrically connected to the one or more microelectrodes.

4. The neural probe of claim 1, further comprising a power source integral to the neural probe and electrically connected to the LED.

5. The neural probe of claim 2, wherein the one or more microelectrodes are lithographically printed on one or more of the elongated shanks.

6. The neural probe of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a lens, a reflector and a grating for directing light from the LED.

7. The neural probe of claim 1, wherein the LED is integrated with the neural probe by silicon microfabrication.