Systems, methods, and devices for controlling external devices by signals derived directly from the nervous system
US6171239A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/704
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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 e…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.