Artificial synapse chip interface for electronic prosthetic retina
First Claim
1. A device for directing the growth of a cell process, comprising a substrate with a surface configured to receive a cell process and a micropattern effective to direct the growth of a cell process in a desired direction on said surface.
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Abstract
The invention provides microfabricated devices and methods for directing the growth of a cell process to form an artificial synapse. The devices are called artificial synapse chips. The artificial synapse comprises a nanofabricated aperture (about 50-100 nm in size) that connects the cell process to a chemical or electrical means of neuronal excitation. Such an aperture width mimics the length scales of a natural synapse and thus emphasizes the localized spatial relationship between a neuron and a stimulation source. The invention further provides devices and methods for regenerating a nerve fiber into an electrode. The invention thus provides a regeneration electrode that uses a novel neural interface for stimulation and that uses novel surface methods for directing neuronal growth making possible in vivo connection of the devices to neural circuitry in a retina and other anatomical locations.
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Citations
55 Claims
- 1. A device for directing the growth of a cell process, comprising a substrate with a surface configured to receive a cell process and a micropattern effective to direct the growth of a cell process in a desired direction on said surface.
- 6. A device for delivering neuromodulatory agents to at least a portion of a cell, comprising a surface and a reservoir, said reservoir being effective to contain said neuromodulatory agents, said surface having an exterior face, an interior face and a nanoaperture, said nanaperture providing a connecting path between said interior and said exterior faces, said exterior face being configured to contact a cell, said interior face being in contact with said reservoir, said nanoaperture effective to provide a conduit for the delivery of said neuromodulatory agents from said reservoir to at least a portion of said cell.
- 10. A device for contacting and stimulating at least a portion of a cell, the device comprising a surface, said surface having an exterior face and a circuit, said exterior face being configured to contact a cell, said circuit having at least one contact, said circuit being effective stimulate at least a portion of a cell adjacent said contact.
- 14. A regeneration electrode assembly comprising a neurite-directing device and a circuit effective to contact and stimulate at least a portion of a cell.
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18. A method of directing the growth of a cell process in a desired manner from a cell capable of growing a cell process, the method comprising:
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providing a surface comprising a micropattern, and contacting a cell capable of growing a cell process, effective to direct the growth of a cell process from said cell in a desired manner. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of directing the growth of a cell process from a cell capable of growing a cell process to a location adjacent a contact of a circuit, the method comprising:
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providing a surface comprising a circuit and a micropattern, and contacting a cell capable of growing a cell process with said surface, effective to direct the growth of a cell process from said cell to a location adjacent said contact. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33)
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24. A method of stimulating at least a portion of a cell capable of growing a cell process, comprising:
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contacting a cell with a surface comprising a micropattern and a desired location;
directing the growth of a cell process from the cell to a position adjacent said desired location; and
providing a stimulus from said desired location to said cell process effective to stimulate at least a portion of the cell.
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30. A microfabricated artificial synapse comprising a microfabricated device having a surface with a micropattern and a nanoaperture, said micropattern effective to direct the growth of a cell process, and a cell having a cell process, said cell process being directed by said micropattern to contact said nanoaperture.
- 40. A system for implantation into an animal comprising an artificial synapse chip (ASC), a photosensitive device, a communication link between the ASC and the photosensitive device, and a power source.
- 43. A device for contacting a portion of a cell with a fluid, comprising a substrate with a surface configured to receive a cell process and a micropattern effective to direct a cell process to a desired location on said surface, and a microfluidic system comprising a fluid delivery channel configured to direct a fluid to said desired location.
- 50. A method for treating an eye disorder, comprising implanting a photosensitive assembly into an eye, said photosensitive assembly comprising a photosensitive device effective to respond to light with photoactivated signals, an artificial synapse chip, a power source effective to power said photosensitive device, and an operative connection between said photosensitive device and said artificial synapse.
Specification