Interface for making spatially resolved electrical contact to neural cells in a biological neural network

US7058455B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University · US

Inventors

• Philip Huie · Cupertino, US
• Daniel V. Palanker · Palo Alto, US
• Harvey Fishman · Menlo Park, US
• Alexander Vankov · Menlo Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 2003
• Grant date: Jun 6, 2006
• Expiry date: Apr 9, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61N1/36046
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An interface for selective excitation or sensing of neural cells in a biological neural network is provided. The interface includes a membrane with a number of channels passing through the membrane. Each channel has at least one electrode within it. Neural cells in the biological neural network grow or migrate into the channels, thereby coming into close proximity to the electrodes.Once one or more neural cells have grown or migrated into a channel, a voltage applied to the electrode within the channel selectively excites the neural cell (or cells) in that channel. The excitation of these neural cell(s) will then transmit throughout the neural network (i.e. cells and axons) that is associated with the neural cell(s) stimulated in the channel.