OPTOELECTRONIC REMOTELY POWERED SILICON BASED HYBRID NEURAL ELECTRODE

• US 20160015285A1
• Filed: 07/17/2015
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Drexel University
• Original Assignee: Drexel University
• Inventors: Moxon, Karen
• Application Number:
  US14/801,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20160015285A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence

Abstract

One aspect of the invention provides an optically powered, integrated wireless neural electrode-telemetry module comprising (a) porous silicon wafer; (b) at least one neural electrode; (c) a low noise pre-amplifier; (d) an optical power converter; (e) a signal processor; and (f) a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter microchip. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of chronically recording electrical activity from a single neuron in vivo. The method comprises implanting an optically powered, integrated wireless neural electrode-telemetry module into the brain or spinal cord of a subject.

Claims

1. An optically powered, integrated wireless neural electrode-telemetry module comprising:

a. a porous silicon wafer;

b. at least one neural electrode;

c. a low noise pre-amplifier;

d. an optical power converter;

e. a signal processor; and

f. a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter microchip.

2. The neural electrode-telemetry module of claim 1, wherein said optical power converter is adapted and configured to receive power from red or near-infrared illumination transmitted through a skull.

3. The neural electrode-telemetry module of claim 1, wherein said optical power converter is adapted and configured to receive power from optical signals carried by a fiber optic cable, wherein said fiber optic cable terminates near said optical power converter without physically contacting said optical power converter.

4. The neural electrode-telemetry module of claim 1, wherein said porous silicon wafer comprises at least one pharmacological agent.

5. The neural electrode-telemetry module of claim 4, wherein said pharmacological agent is selected from the group consisting:

of brain derived neural growth factors (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), Poloxamer 188, a cell adhesion molecule, glial filament associated proteins (GFAP), intermediate filament associated proteins (IFAP), endothelin-1, cytokinen, IL-6, and any combination thereof.

6. A method of chronically recording electrical activity from a single neuron in vivo, said method comprising the steps of:

a. implanting an optically powered, integrated wireless neural electrode-telemetry module into the brain or spinal cord of a subject, wherein said module comprises;

a porous silicon wafer ;

at least one neural electrode;

a low noise pre-amplifier;

an optical power converter;

a signal processor; and

a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter microchip;

b. providing an optical signal to power said optical power converter; and

c. receiving modulated radio signals from the RF transmitter microchip, wherein said modulated radio signals correspond to electrical activity of a single neuron.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said optical signal comprises red or near-infrared illumination transmitted through a skull.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said optical signal is carried by a fiber optic cable, wherein said fiber optic cable terminates near said optical power converter without physically contacting said optical power converter.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said porous silicon wafer comprises at least one pharmacological agent.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said pharmacological agent is selected from the group consisting of brain derived neural growth factors (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), Poloxamer 188, a cell adhesion molecule, glial filament associated proteins (GFAP), intermediate filament associated proteins (IFAP), endothelin-1, cytokinen, IL-6, and any combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein said subject is an animal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said animal is a mammal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said mammal is a human.