SUBDURAL ELECTRO-OPTICAL SENSOR

• US 20110021885A1
• Filed: 05/05/2008
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation Incorporated (Cornell University), Georgetown University
• Original Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation Incorporated (Cornell University), Georgetown University
• Inventors: Schwartz, Theodore H., Ma, Hongtao, Wu, Jian-Young
• Granted Patent: US 9,521,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• 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 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/507 for determination of haemodynamic parameters, e.g. perfusion CT

Abstract

A subdural electro-optical sensor system may include a substrate to which is attached an array of electrodes, light emitters, and light detectors. The sensor system may be sufficiently thin, flexible, sterile and biocompatible to be positioned subdurally.

Claims

1. A subdural electro-optical sensor system comprising:

a substrate to which is attached an array of electrodes, light emitters, and light detectors;

wherein the sensor system is sufficiently thin, flexible, sterile and biocompatible to be positioned subdurally.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the array comprises electrodes alternating with integrated light emitter-sensors.

3. The sensor system of claim 2, wherein each integrated light emitter-sensor comprises one light detector and two light emitters.

4. The sensor system of claim 3, wherein the two light emitters selectively emit light at 570 nm and at 610 nm, respectively.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the array comprises multiple integrated sensors, each integrated sensor comprising an electrode, two light emitters, and a light detector.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, further comprising a processor coupled to the electrodes and light detectors so as to receive signals from them indicative of light detected by the light detectors and voltages measured by the electrodes.

7. The sensor system of claim 6, further comprising a responsive element so coupled to the processor as to initiate an action in response to the received signals.

8. The sensor system of claim 7, wherein the responsive element comprises a brain stimulator.

9. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein the light detectors are photodiodes, and the system further comprises an amplifier coupled to the photodiodes.

10. A method of monitoring a property of a subdural structure in a subject, comprising:

implanting the sensor system of claim 1 subdurally and superficial to the subject'"'"'s pia mater;

emitting light from at least one light emitter upon the subdural structure;

detecting light emitted from the subdural structure at the light sensor;

measuring a voltage between an electrode and a reference potential or a second electrode; and

generating one or mote output signals indicative of the detected light and the measured voltage.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one light emitter emits light selectively at 570 nm, at least one light emitter emits light selectively at 610 nm, and the method further comprises detecting a hemodynamic change from the detected emitted light.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising an electrical stimulator, and the method comprises stimulating the subject'"'"'s brain using the electrical stimulator if at least one of the detected light and the measured voltage indicate the need for brain stimulation.