Method for implanting flexible and scalable sensor arrays into patient tissues

US9420953B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania · US

Inventors

• Brian Litt · Yeadon, US
• Jonathan Viventi · Durham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 9, 2015
• Grant date: Aug 23, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 9, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01L21/56
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An implantable sensor array incorporates active electronic elements to greatly increase the number of sensors and their density that can be simultaneously recorded and activated. The sensors can be of various configurations and types, for example: optical, chemical, temperature, pressure or other sensors including effectors for applying signals to surrounding tissues. The sensors/effectors are arranged on a flexible and stretchable substrate with incorporated active components that allow the effective size, configuration, number and pattern of sensors/effectors to be dynamically changed, as needed, through a wired or wireless means of communication. Active processing allows many channels to be combined either through analog or digital means such that the number of wires exiting the array can be substantially reduced compared to the number of sensors/effectors on the array.