STATEMENT REGARDING GOVERNMENT INTEREST

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to neurology and neuroscience, and more particularly to a neural interrogation platform.

In general, neurology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of disorders of the nervous system. The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities, and a complex network of functionally connected groups of cells which communicate to process information and generate behavioral outputs that allow us to navigate our environment. However, commercially available technologies struggle to probe all of these connected sub-domains with single-cell resolution. Electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capture activity across multiple areas, but have poor spatial resolution. Traditional microelectrode arrays (MEAs) can record individual cells but from a small, millimeter scale region of the brain. Attempts to scale MEA technology to record from more channels are hindered by tethered electronics or bulky connectors which introduce a geometric limit on the number of arrays which can be implanted safely in a clinical setting. Additionally, wire tethers used to connect an MEA to recording electronics are difficult to implant, must transverse the dura matter preventing it from fully healing, and introduce a mechanical leash which can cause the array to shift as the brain moves relative to the rest of the body. Importantly, efforts have been made in recent years to solve each of these problems, resulting in creative new neural probes or even complete devices for neural interfacing. However neural probe designers often do not have a robust way to communicate with their interface and system designers target a single specific probe resulting in an inefficient 1:1 development strategy for neural interface systems with a given neural probe. Since new backend electronics must be developed for new probe technologies, development is slow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a system including spatially isolated nodes proximal to a cortical surface or spinal cord, a telemetric antenna array located above the dura, the telemetric antenna array configured to provide power to and exchange data with the spatially isolated nodes, and a power and data distribution unit configured to power the spatially isolated nodes, aggregate recorded data, send the aggregated recorded data and commands through a wireless link.

In another aspect, the invention features a method including recording data from spatially isolated nodes untethered from external electronics using a telemetric antenna array to wirelessly power and regulate the spatially isolated nodes.

In still another aspect, the invention features a system including spatially isolated nodes proximal to a cortical surface or spinal cord, each of the spatially isolated nodes configured to implement data analysis, data compression, closed loop stimulation and power saving control schemes, a telemetric antenna array located above the dura, the telemetric antenna array configured to provide power to and exchange data with the spatially isolated nodes, and a power and data distribution unit configured to power the spatially isolated nodes, aggregate recorded data, send the aggregated recorded data and commands through a wireless link.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following advantages.

The present invention leverages near-field inductive coupling techniques and a flexible system architecture to create a platform technology which can easily and simultaneously access multiple areas of the brain and enables neuroscientists and clinicians to mix and match different neural probes to suit their individual needs.

The present invention provides a platform for simultaneous multi-site neural recording that eliminates transdural cables, reduces surgical implantation site limitations, limits cortical damage due to micromotion between the neural interface and the skull, and removes the most likely pathway for long-term infection directly to the meninges (e.g., the cable).

These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only and are not restrictive of aspects as claimed.

