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Hybrid optical-electrical probes for stimulation of nerve or other animal tissue

  • US 8,632,577 B1
  • Filed: 01/22/2013
  • Issued: 01/21/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for optically stimulating a nerve-cell tissue of an animal and electrically stimulating the tissue of the animal in order to elicit an electrical nerve-action-potential response, the method comprising:

  • obtaining a series of light-signal pulses for each of a plurality of optical-signal channels from an optical source, wherein each series of light-signal pulses is suitable to optically stimulate the tissue of the animal to elicit the electrical response;

    providing an electro-optic fiber bundle having a first plurality of optical waveguides and a first plurality of electrical conductors, wherein the electro-optic fiber bundle is operatively coupled to the optical source and configured to transmit the series of light-signal pulses obtained from the optical source;

    providing an integrated electro-optical substrate having a first surface that extends in two dimensions, wherein the substrate includes a second plurality of laterally spaced optical waveguides and a first plurality of exposed electrodes, wherein the providing of the substrate includes extending the laterally spaced second plurality of optical waveguides across the two dimensions of the substrate;

    optically coupling the substrate to an end of the electro-optic fiber bundlereceiving the series of light-signal pulses from the electro-optic fiber bundle into the second plurality of optical waveguides;

    conducting electrical signals between the first plurality of electrical conductors of the electro-optic fiber bundle and the first plurality of exposed electrodes on the substrate;

    aligning the substrate such that the obtained series of light-signal pulses leaves the second plurality of optical waveguides and are directed toward the tissue of the animal;

    transmitting the series of light-signal pulses of each one of the plurality of optical-signal channels through a corresponding one of the first plurality of optical waveguides of the electro-optic fiber bundle and through a corresponding one of the second plurality of optical waveguides between the optical source and the tissue of the animal;

    optically stimulating the electrical nerve-action-potential response in the tissue of the animal using the transmitted series of light-signal pulses;

    generating an electrical-stimulation signal configured to provide electrical stimulation of the tissue of the animal;

    transmitting electrical signals corresponding to the electrical-stimulation signal using the first plurality of electrical conductors and the first plurality of exposed electrodes; and

    electrically stimulating the tissue of the animal using the transmitted electrical signals.

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