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Title: Neural interface methods and apparatus to provide artificial sensory capabilities to a subject

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.

Inventors:
; ; ; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1823910
Patent Number(s):
10993665
Application Number:
15/411,644
Assignee:
National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (Albuquerque, NM)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 01/20/2017
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Buerger, Stephen P., Wojciechowski, Kenneth E., Olsson, Roy H., Kholwadwala, Deepesh K., and Novick, David K. Neural interface methods and apparatus to provide artificial sensory capabilities to a subject. United States: N. p., 2021. Web.
Buerger, Stephen P., Wojciechowski, Kenneth E., Olsson, Roy H., Kholwadwala, Deepesh K., & Novick, David K. Neural interface methods and apparatus to provide artificial sensory capabilities to a subject. United States.
Buerger, Stephen P., Wojciechowski, Kenneth E., Olsson, Roy H., Kholwadwala, Deepesh K., and Novick, David K. Tue . "Neural interface methods and apparatus to provide artificial sensory capabilities to a subject". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1823910.
@article{osti_1823910,
title = {Neural interface methods and apparatus to provide artificial sensory capabilities to a subject},
author = {Buerger, Stephen P. and Wojciechowski, Kenneth E. and Olsson, Roy H. and Kholwadwala, Deepesh K. and Novick, David K.},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2021},
month = {5}
}