Processed neural signals and methods for generating and using them

• US 6,609,017 B1
• Filed: 08/06/1999
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: California Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Shenoy, Krishna V., Andersen, Richard A., Kureshi, Sohaib A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US09/369,953
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600/378, 600/394
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/54 Artificial arms or hands or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/60 Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/72 Bioelectric control, e.g. myoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/704 computer-controlled, e.g. robotic control

Abstract

The present invention provides a processed neural signal that encodes a reach plan, comprising the target location of the planned encoded relative to an eye-centered reference frame. The present invention also provides methods for generating and decoding the processed neural signal.

Claims

1. A processed neural signal that encodes a representation of a reach plan of a subject relative to an eye-centered reference frame of the subject.

2. The processed neural signal of claim 1 that is represented in a form that is selected from a group consisting of electrical, chemical, magnetic, and blood flow.

3. The processed neural signal of claim 1, wherein the reach plan comprises a selected reach target.

4. The processed neural signal of claim 1, wherein the reach plan comprises a reach target location.

5. The processed neural signal of claim 1 that comprises an eye-position gain modulation.

6. The processed neural signal of claim 1 that encodes an impending reach plan.

7. The processed neural signal of claim 1 that is a control signal that directs a desired reach action by the subject.

8. A method for generating a processed neural signal that encodes a reach plan of a subject relative to an eye-centered reference frame of the subject, the steps comprising:

a) acquiring a neural signal from the subject using a sensor;

b) isolating the neural signal so acquired;

c) determining whether the neural signal so acquired encodes the reach plan; and

d) selecting the neural signal that encodes the reach plan relative to the eye-centered reference frame of the subject so as to generate the processed neural signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the processed neural signal is represented in a form that is selected from a group consisting of electrical, chemical, magnetic, and blood flow.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein a plurality of neural signals is acquired from a population of neurons.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the reach plan comprises a selected reach target.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the reach plan comprises a reach target location.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the processed neural signal comprises an eye-position gain modulation.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the processed neural signal encodes an impending reach plan.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the neural signal is acquired from the subject while the subject plans a reach.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor is a single sensor.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein the sensor is a multi sensor array.

18. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of translating the processed neural signal so as to generate a control signal.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the control signal directs a desired reach action by the subject.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the desired reach action by the subject comprises reaching with a limb.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the limb is the subject'"'"'s arm.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the limb is a prosthetic device attached to the subject.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the limb is a prosthetic device not attached to the subject.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the desired reach action by the subject comprises moving a computer screen pointer device.

25. A processed neural signal generated by the method of claim 8.