US6171239B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems, methods, and devices for controlling external devices by signals derived directly from the nervous system
Assignee: Emory University
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Filing: 1998-08-17
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Granted: 2001-01-09
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Expires: 2018-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A system and method control prostheses and other devices with signals received by sensors implanted directly in the brain or other parts of the nervous system of a subject/patient and transmitted to an external receiver. Included in the system are sensors in the form of bundles of small, insulated, flexible wires, configured in a parallel or twisted array, which are used to receive multicellular signals from small clusters of neurons. A new “calibration/adaptation” system is developed, in which the neural signals are cross-correlated with the parameters of a set of standardized or model movements as the subject/patient attempts to emulate the model movements, and on the basis of the correlations the neural signals that are best suited for control of the corresponding movement or movement parameter of the external device are selected. Periodic use of this calibration system compensates for or adapts to uncontrolled changes in neural signal parameters over time, and therefore results in re-selection of the optimal neural channels for better device control. Artificial neural nets are used for mapping the selected neural signals onto appropriate movements or control parameters of the external device.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Humphrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/50; A61F2/68; A61F2/70; A61F2/72; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/369; A61B5/375; A61B5/40; A61B5/4058; A61B5/407; A61F2/54; A61B5/4064; A61F2002/704
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A device for collecting multicellular signals directly from a central nervous system and transmitting the signals to an external receiver, comprising: A) a plurality of electrodes formed in bundles of flexible wires with tips at staggered length aligned to be implanted in the central nervous system, each electrode for collecting multicellular signals from the central nervous system; and B) a signal processing mechanism connected to the electrodes for multiplexing and transmitting the signals from the electrodes to the external receiver; wherein the tips of the electrodes are sized to have a recording area greater than 400 μm 2 for collecting the multicellular signals from the central nervous system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
A device for collecting multicellular signals directly from a central nervous system and transmitting the signals to an external receiver, comprising: A) a plurality of electrodes formed in bundles of flexible wires with tips at staggered length aligned to be implanted in the central nervous system, each electrode for collecting multicellular signals from the central nervous system; and B) a signal processing mechanism connected to the electrodes for multiplexing and transmitting the signals from the electrodes to the external receiver; wherein the tips of the electrodes are sized to have a recording area greater than 400 μm 2 for collecting the multicellular signals from the central nervous system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the number of the flexible wires in a bundle ranges from 3 to 10.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the flexible wires is smaller than 50 μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the difference in length from one tip to its neighbor tip of the wires is variable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 4 , wherein the difference in length from one tip to its neighbor tip of the wires is about 0.3 to 0.6 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible wires in a bundle are made from noble metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
The device according to claim 1 , wherein the signal processing mechanism comprises: A) an insulating substrate; B) an array of electrode contact pads mounted on the substrate for receiving the electrodes, each electrode received individually by one of the electrode contact pads, and with the electrode contact pads being electrically isolated from each other at the substrate; C) a microchip bonded in close contact with the substrate for receiving and multiplexing the signals from the electrodes; and D) an electric connection to the microchip for relaying power to the microchip and transmitting the signals received at the microchip to the external receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 7 , wherein the electric connection is a hardware device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein the hardware device is a cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 7 , wherein the electric connection is a wireless device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 10 , wherein the wireless device is a nonresonant wireless setup.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device according to claim 11 , wherein the nonresonant wireless setup comprises: A) a first coil in connection with the microchip for relaying power to the microchip; and B) a second coil in connection with the microchip for receiving and transmitting the multiplexed signals to the external receiver.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 10 , wherein the wireless device is a resonant wireless setup.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device according to claim 13 , wherein the resonant wireless setup comprises: A) a coil in connection with the microchip for relaying power to the microchip; and B) a low pass filter in connection with the microchip for receiving and transmitting the multiplexed signals to the external receiver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 7 , wherein the microchip comprises signal processing integrated circuits.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
60 words
An apparatus for recording multi-neuron signals directly from a central nervous system, comprising: a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor further comprises a bundle of noble metal wires with tips at staggered lengths and with the tips sized to have a recording area greater than 400 μm 2 so that each tip collects multicellular signals from the central nervous system.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
60 words
An apparatus for recording multi-neuron signals directly from a central nervous system, comprising: a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor further comprises a bundle of noble metal wires with tips at staggered lengths and with the tips sized to have a recording area greater than 400 μm 2 so that each tip collects multicellular signals from the central nervous system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
134 words
An instrument for collecting multicellular signals directly from a central nervous system and transmitting the signals to an external receiver, comprising: A) at least one sensor for receiving the signals, wherein the sensor comprises: i) a bundle of wires of staggered lengths arranged in an array, wherein each wire has a tip for receiving multicellular signals from the central nervous system; and ii) an optical cement bead through which the wires pass for holding the wires in position in a selected distance from the most distant wire tip; and B) a signal processor connected to the sensor for multiplexing and transmitting the signals from the sensor to the external receiver; wherein the signal processor conducts adaptive processing of the signals from the sensor so that the instrument responds to changes in the multicellular signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
134 words
An instrument for collecting multicellular signals directly from a central nervous system and transmitting the signals to an external receiver, comprising: A) at least one sensor for receiving the signals, wherein the sensor comprises: i) a bundle of wires of staggered lengths arranged in an array, wherein each wire has a tip for receiving multicellular signals from the central nervous system; and ii) an optical cement bead through which the wires pass for holding the wires in position in a selected distance from the most distant wire tip; and B) a signal processor connected to the sensor for multiplexing and transmitting the signals from the sensor to the external receiver; wherein the signal processor conducts adaptive processing of the signals from the sensor so that the instrument responds to changes in the multicellular signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument according to claim 17 , wherein the selected distance is about 6-8 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument according to claim 17 , wherein the wires are made from conductive materials.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument according to claim 17 , wherein the conductive materials are noble metal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
106 words
A channel display system for monitor recorded multicellular signals, comprising: A) a device for recording multichannel neural signals directly from a central nervous system and broadcasting the signals, wherein the device has electrodes with staggered tips, each electrode is sized to have a surface area greater than 400 μm 2 , and each electrode is for detecting multicellular signals; B) an external receiver for receiving the multicellular signals; C) electric connection means for connecting to an external receiver to relay the signals; and D) a visual display for displaying the signals in a matrix, wherein each cell of the matrix represents a separate neural data channel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
106 words
A channel display system for monitor recorded multicellular signals, comprising: A) a device for recording multichannel neural signals directly from a central nervous system and broadcasting the signals, wherein the device has electrodes with staggered tips, each electrode is sized to have a surface area greater than 400 μm 2 , and each electrode is for detecting multicellular signals; B) an external receiver for receiving the multicellular signals; C) electric connection means for connecting to an external receiver to relay the signals; and D) a visual display for displaying the signals in a matrix, wherein each cell of the matrix represents a separate neural data channel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The channel display system according to claim 21 , wherein the visual display comprises an LED, wherein the intensity of illumination of the LED is a positive function of the level of neural signals fed from the related neural data channel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
The channel display system according to claim 21 , wherein the visual display comprises a computer screen, wherein the color of each cell of the display matrix on the screen is coded according to the level of neural signals fed from the related neural data channel.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
126 words
A system for collecting multicellular signals directly from a central nervous system and for transmitting processed signals to a device, comprising: a sensor for detecting multicellular signals directly from the central nervous system, the sensor having a plurality of electrodes for being implanted near the central nervous system to allow for chronic detection of the multicellular signals, each electrode for detecting multicellular signals from the central nervous system; and an interface for receiving the multicellular signals from the sensor, for processing the multicellular signals to generate processed signals, and for transmitting the processed signals to the device; and the device for receiving the processed signals; wherein the interface conducts adaptive processing of the multicellular signals so that the system responds to changes in the multicellular signals.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
126 words
A system for collecting multicellular signals directly from a central nervous system and for transmitting processed signals to a device, comprising: a sensor for detecting multicellular signals directly from the central nervous system, the sensor having a plurality of electrodes for being implanted near the central nervous system to allow for chronic detection of the multicellular signals, each electrode for detecting multicellular signals from the central nervous system; and an interface for receiving the multicellular signals from the sensor, for processing the multicellular signals to generate processed signals, and for transmitting the processed signals to the device; and the device for receiving the processed signals; wherein the interface conducts adaptive processing of the multicellular signals so that the system responds to changes in the multicellular signals.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the sensor is for being implanted into the brain.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the device delivers the processed signals to a prosthetic device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the device delivers the processed signals to muscular tissue.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the device is a prosthetic device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the electrodes of the sensor are formed of noble metal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the electrodes comprise wires and the sensor comprises a wire bundle.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the electrodes are mounted to a substrate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the sensor is for being implanted into a skull and the interface is connected to the sensor through the skull.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the sensor is for being implanted into a skull and the interface is located entirely external to the skull and is coupled to the sensor through a wireless connection.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the interface processes the signals for controlling the device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , further comprising a movement calibration system for calibrating the multicellular signals with movement of the device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the interface includes a neural network.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as set forth in claim 36 , wherein the neural network comprises an artificial neural network.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the interface maps the multicellular signals onto an output parameter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as set forth in claim 38 , wherein the interface comprises a neural network.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the interface shapes the processed signal for control of the device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as set forth in claim 40 , wherein the interface comprises a neural network.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as set forth in claim 41 , wherein the interface further includes an interface controller for receiving an output of the neural network.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-01-09 | 2004-07-10 | 2005-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | 2009-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-09 | 2012-07-10 | 2013-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |