Neural interface methods and apparatus to provide artificial sensory capabilities to a subject
US10993665B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 8, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/011
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.