BRAIN- MACHINE INTERFACE SYSTEMS AND METHODS
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Abstract
A system and method for interfacing a brain with a machine. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention employs a vascular approach in which one or more nano-electrodes are deployed in vasculature having a close geometric relationship with proximal innervation. Each nano-electrode is preferably deployed in a blood vessel so that its sensing end is at or near a nerve passing close to or intersecting the blood vessel. The sensing end of each nano-electrode is adapted so as to be carried along in the blood stream so as to position the sensing end at a desired point within the blood vessel. An array of nano-electrodes of varying lengths can be used to monitor multiple nerves or neurons along a blood vessel.
48 Citations
30 Claims
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1-17. -17. (canceled)
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18. A device for sensing the activity of neural tissue comprising:
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a catheter; and
an electrode that is smaller than 5 μ
m in diameter, the electrode being deployed from the catheter in a blood vessel proximate to the neural tissue,wherein a signal on the electrode is monitored by way of a wire connected to the electrode, said signal being indicative of the electrical brain activity of the neural tissue. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30)
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28. A method of sensing the activity of muscle tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing an electrode in a blood vessel proximate to the muscle tissue, said electrode being of sufficiently small size such that it is capable of being inserted into a capillary; and
monitoring a signal on the electrode by way of a wire connected to the electrode, wherein the signal is indicative of the electrical activity of the muscle tissue.
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29. A device for sensing the activity of muscle tissue comprising:
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a catheter; and
an electrode of sufficiently small size that it is capable of being inserted in a capillary, the electrode being deployed from the catheter in a blood vessel proximate to the muscle tissue, wherein a signal on the electrode is monitored by way of a wire connected to the electrode and indicative of the electrical activity of the muscle tissue.
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Specification