Neural interface methods and apparatus to provide artificial sensory capabilities to a subject
| DWPI Title: Neural interface apparatus for providing artificial sensory capability to subject, has internal module operatively arranged to wirelessly receive frequency-shift-key encoded attributes and decode attributes with frequency-shift-key decoding |
| Abstract: Embodiments of neural interfaces according to the present invention comprise sensor modules for sensing environmental attributes beyond the natural sensory capability of a subject, and communicating the attributes wirelessly to an external (ex-vivo) portable module attached to the subject. The ex-vivo module encodes and communicates the attributes via a transcutaneous inductively coupled link to an internal (in-vivo) module implanted within the subject. The in-vivo module converts the attribute information into electrical neural stimuli that are delivered to a peripheral nerve bundle within the subject, via an implanted electrode. Methods and apparatus according to the invention incorporate implantable batteries to power the in-vivo module allowing for transcutaneous bidirectional communication of low voltage (e.g. on the order of 5 volts) encoded signals as stimuli commands and neural responses, in a robust, low-error rate, communication channel with minimal effects to the subjects' skin. |
| Use: Neural interface apparatus for providing an artificial sensory capability to a subject for conveying information obtained from environmental sensors to the subject, in the form of electrical neural stimuli. |
| Advantage: The apparatus utilizes an implanted electrode to stimulate peripheral nerve for avoiding use of percutaneous wires or connectors, thus reducing a risk of irritation and infection to chronic use. The apparatus provides a low-voltage inductively coupled link additionally, thus providing the use of smaller, safer, lower-power electronics, facilitating portability by the subject. The apparatus accommodates significant uncertainty in an efficacy of the coupling through a skin of the subject and provides the ability to accurately read inductively transmitted data with low voltage amplitude. |
| Novelty: The apparatus has an electrode (180) mountable in-vivo module (110) to a subject (130), where the electrode is electrically connected to an internal module and contacting neurons within the subject, and the electrode is operatively arranged to deliver an electrical neural stimulus signals to the neurons. An external module (120) is operatively arranged to encode attributes with a frequency-shift-key (FSK) encoding and, wirelessly transmit the FSK encoded attributes. The internal module is arranged to wirelessly receive the FSK encoded attributes and decode the attributes with a FSK decoding. |
| Filed: 6/11/2008 |
| Application Number: US2008136859A |
| Tech ID: SD 10433.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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