Brain imaging system and methods for direct prosthesis control
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a prosthesis, the method comprising:
- receiving a brain-activity signal from a brain imager, wherein the brain-activity signal corresponds to brain activity within a portion of the motor cortex;
mapping the brain-activity signal to a limbic-control signal using a neural network that is trained to map the brain-activity signal to the limbic-control signal; and
coupling the limbic-control signal with the prosthesis, wherein the prosthesis is configured to respond to the limbic-control signal.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for controlling a prosthesis using a brain imager that images a localized portion of the brain are provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The brain imager provides motor cortex activation data by illuminating the motor cortex with near infrared light (NIR) and detecting the spectral changes of the NIR light as passes through the brain. These spectral changes can be correlated with brain activity related to limbic control and may be provided to a neural network, for example, a fuzzy neural network that maps brain activity data to limbic control data. The limbic control data may then be used to control a prosthetic limb. Other embodiments of the invention include fiber optics that provide light to and receive light from the surface of the scalp through hair.
28 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a prosthesis, the method comprising:
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receiving a brain-activity signal from a brain imager, wherein the brain-activity signal corresponds to brain activity within a portion of the motor cortex; mapping the brain-activity signal to a limbic-control signal using a neural network that is trained to map the brain-activity signal to the limbic-control signal; and coupling the limbic-control signal with the prosthesis, wherein the prosthesis is configured to respond to the limbic-control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A prosthesis control system, the prosthesis control system comprising:
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an optical brain imager configured to; irradiate a first portion of the brain with one or more light sources; detect, using one or more photodiodes, a portion of the light transmitted into the first portion of the brain, wherein the detected light travels at least from the one or more light sources through a plurality of sub-portions of the brain and is detected at the plurality of photodiodes; determine the relative concentration of oxy-hemoglobin within the first portion of the brain from the plurality of photodiodes inputs; determine the relative concentration of hemoglobin within the first portion of the brain from the plurality of photodiodes inputs; and determine the brain activity at a plurality of sub-portions of the first portion of the brain from the relative concentrations of oxy-hemoglobin and hemoglobin; a neural network that is trained to map brain activity to limbic-control signals; and a controller configured to receive the limbic control signals from the neural network and configured to operate the prosthesis in response to the limbic control signals. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fiber optic for transmitting light into the brain through the scalp and past hair, the fiber optic comprising:
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an elongated optical fiber body comprising a distal end, a proximal end and elongated fiber body, wherein the proximal end is configured to receive light from a light source and the elongated fiber body is configured to channel light received from the light source at the proximal end to the distal end; and a bulb coupled with the distal end of the optical fiber, wherein the bulb is configured to transmit light from the elongated fiber optic body into the brain through the scalp and past hair. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method for training a prosthesis system, wherein the prosthesis system comprises a man-made neural network, a brain imaging system, and a prosthesis, the training utilizing a muscle activity detector, the method comprising:
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receiving brain activity data from the brain imaging system; receiving muscular response data from the muscle activity detector, wherein the muscular response data corresponds with the brain activity; and training the man-made neural network to produce the muscular response data from the brain activity data. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification