Integrated Optical Neural Probe

• US 20130030274A1
• Filed: 07/25/2011
• Published: 01/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diagnostic Biochips, LLC
• Original Assignee: Diagnostic Biochips, LLC
• Inventors: Jamieson, Brian, Mateo, Jennette
• Granted Patent: US 9,801,559 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/377
• 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 substrate comprising one or more elongated shanks for penetrating neural tissue, each elongated shank comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

at least one optical source integral to the neural probe for illuminating the neural tissue; and

one or more microelectrodes located proximate the distal end of one or more of the elongated shanks for monitoring neuronal activity.

2. The neural probe of claim 1, further comprising readout circuitry electrically connected to the one or more microelectrodes.

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 at least one optical source.

5. The neural probe of claim 1, further comprising a coupler for coupling the at least one optical source to at least one waveguide.

6. The neural probe of claim 5, wherein the coupler couples each of the at least one optical source to a plurality of optical fibers.

7. The neural probe of claim 1, wherein the one or more conductive microelectrodes are lithographically printed on one or more of the elongated shanks

8. The neural probe of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical source is located proximate the distal end of the one or more elongated shanks to illuminate the neural tissue without an optical waveguide.

9. The neural probe of claim 8, further comprising at least one of a lens, a reflector and a grating for directing the light from the at least one optical source to illuminate the neural tissue.

10. The neural probe of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical source comprises at least one of an LED, a photonic crystal light source, a quantum dot and a laser.

11. The neural probe of claim 1, further comprising at least one optical waveguide connecting the at least one optical source to the one or more microelectrodes.

12. The neural probe of claim 11, further comprising at least one of a lens, a reflector and a grating for directing the light from the at least one optical source to the at least one optical waveguide.

13. The neural probe of claim 11, further comprising at least one of a lens, a reflector and a grating for directing the light from the at least one optical waveguide to illuminate the neural tissue.

14. The neural probe of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical source is flip chip bonded to the silicon substrate.

15. The neural probe of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical source is integrated with the neural probe by silicon microfabrication.

16. A method of monitoring neuronal activity comprising:

implanting the neural probe of claim 1 into a test subject such that the one or more 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.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting the measured neuronal activity to an analysis unit remote from the test subject.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the test subject is a selected one of an animal and a human.

19. A device, comprising:

a semiconductor chip;

at least one optical source integral to the semiconductor chip; and

one or more sensor elements integral to the semiconductor chip for collecting data responsive to light emitted from the at least one optical source.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein

the semiconductor chip comprises a substrate comprising one or more elongated shanks for penetrating neural tissue, each elongated shank comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

and

the one or more sensor elements comprise one or more microelectrodes located proximate the distal end of one or more of the elongated shanks for monitoring neuronal activity.