Prosthetic devices and methods and systems related thereto

• US 20060217816A1
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Andersen, Richard A., Pesaran, Bijan
• Granted Patent: US 7,797,040 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/25
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/375 using biofeedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/377 using evoked responses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]

Abstract

Prosthetic devices, methods and systems are disclosed. Eye position and/or neural activity of a primate are recorded and combined. The combination signal is compared with a predetermined signal. The result of the comparison step is used to actuate the prosthetic device.

Claims

1. A method to control spatial positioning of a prosthetic device, the prosthetic device able to assume multiple spatial positions upon input from a subject, the method comprising:

recording an eye position of the subject to produce an eye position signal;

recording a neural activity of the subject to produce a neural activity signal;

combining the eye position signal and the neural activity signal to provide a recorded behavioral pattern;

comparing the recorded behavioral pattern with at least one predetermined behavioral pattern to identify a matching predetermined behavioral pattern, the at least one predetermined behavioral pattern associated with at least one predetermined spatial position of the prosthetic device; and

positioning the prosthetic device in the spatial position associated with the matching predetermined behavioral pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the eye position and the neural activity are simultaneously recorded.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the eye position is recorded directly.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the eye position is recorded indirectly.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the neural activity is recorded by detecting spike activity, local field potential (LFP) activity, or both.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is a primate.

7. A method to control spatial positioning of a prosthetic device, the prosthetic device able to assume multiple spatial positions upon input from a subject, the method comprising:

recording an eye position of the subject to produce an eye position signal;

comparing the eye position signal with at least one predetermined eye position signal to identify a matching predetermined eye position signal, the at least one predetermined eye position signal associated with at least one predetermined spatial position of the prosthetic device; and

positioning the prosthetic device in the spatial position associated with the matching predetermined eye position signal.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the eye position is recorded indirectly.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the subject is a primate.

10. A prosthetic device able to assume a spatial position on input of a subject, the prosthetic device comprising:

means for recording an eye position of the subject to produce an eye position signal;

means for recording a neural activity of the subject to produce a neural activity signal;

means for combining the eye position signal and the neural activity signal to produce a recorded behavioral pattern;

means for storing at least one predetermined behavioral pattern, the at least one predetermined behavioral pattern associated with at least one spatial positioning of the prosthetic device;

means for comparing the recorded behavioral pattern and the at least one predetermined behavioral pattern to identify a matching predetermined behavioral pattern; and

means for positioning the prosthetic device in a spatial position associated with the matching predetermined behavioral pattern.

11. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the means for recording eye position is configured to record eye position directly.

12. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the means for recording eye position is configured to record eye position indirectly.

13. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the means for recording the neural activity is configured to detect spike activity, local field potential (LFP) activity, or both.

14. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the subject is a primate.

15. A prosthetic device able to assume a spatial position on input of a subject, the prosthetic device comprising:

an eye position recorder to produce an eye position signal;

a neural activity recorder to produce a neural activity signal;

a component to combine the eye position signal and the neural activity signal to produce a recorded behavioral pattern;

a storage mechanism to store at least one predetermined behavioral pattern, the at least one predetermined behavioral pattern associated with at least one spatial positioning of the prosthetic device;

a processor to compare the recorded behavioral pattern and the at least one predetermined behavioral pattern to identify a matching predetermined behavioral pattern; and

a control system to position the prosthetic device in a spatial position associated with the matching predetermined behavioral pattern.

16. The prosthetic device of claim 15, wherein the eye position recorder is configured to record eye position directly.

17. The prosthetic device of claim 15, wherein the eye position recorder is configured to record eye position indirectly.

18. The prosthetic device of claim 15, wherein the neural activity recorder is configured to detect spike activity, local field potential (LFP) activity, or both.

19. The prosthetic device of claim 15, wherein the subject is a primate.

20. A prosthetic device able to assume a spatial position on input of a subject, the prosthetic device comprising:

means for recording an eye position of the subject to produce an eye position signal;

means for comparing the eye position signal with at least one predetermined eye position signal to identify a matching predetermined eye position signal associated with at least one predetermined spatial position of the prosthetic device; and

means for positioning the prosthetic device in a spatial position associated with the matching predetermined eye position signal.

21. The prosthetic device of claim 20, wherein the means for recording eye position is configured to record eye position indirectly.

22. The prosthetic device of claim 20, wherein the subject is a primate.

23. A prosthetic device able to assume a spatial position on input of a subject, the prosthetic device comprising:

an eye position recorder to record an eye position of the subject to produce an eye position signal;

a processor to compare the eye position signal with at least one predetermined eye position signal to identify a matching predetermined eye position signal associated with at least one predetermined spatial position of the prosthetic device; and

a control system to position the prosthetic device in a spatial position associated with the matching predetermined eye position signal.

24. The prosthetic device of claim 23, wherein the eye position recorder is configured to record eye position indirectly.

25. The prosthetic device of claim 23, wherein the subject is a primate.

26. A method to investigate neural basis of a natural behavior in subjects, the method comprising:

providing at least one subject;

providing a behavioral task, the behavioral task simulating the natural behavior in subjects;

recording the behavior of the at least one subject during the behavioral task;

recording the eye movement of the at least one subject during the behavioral task;

recording the neural activity of the at least one subject during the behavioral task; and

combining the recorded behavior, the recorded eye movement and the recorded neural activity to identify a pattern of recorded eye movement and neural activity characterizing the natural behavior.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the behavioral task is designed to minimize external instruction and to allow the subject to choose where to look and where to reach.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the subject is a primate.