Neuroparticle with a spin-torque device
Inventors
Weinberg, Irving N. • Waks, Edo • Shapiro, Benjamin
Assignees
Weinberg Medical Physics LLC • University of Maryland College Park • Weinberg Medical Physics Inc
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Publication Number
US-10034633-B2
Publication Date
2018-07-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed embodiments enable determining and monitoring the location of at least one particle in a subject's body, as well as the status of a local environment within the body where the at least one particle is located.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a concept of monitoring an environment in a subject's body using at least one particle that includes at least one spin torque nano-oscillator. The at least one particle is introduced into the subject's body, and the spin torque nano-oscillator emits electromagnetic radiation that represents at least one aspect of the local environment. An external receiver is located outside the subject's body and is sensitive to the radiation emitted by the spin torque nano-oscillator.
The emitted electromagnetic radiation is made sensitive to electromagnetic aspects of a local environment associated with neural activity and to externally applied electromagnetic gradients. By applying electromagnetic gradients to the at least one particle using at least one generator located outside the subject's body, the response of the particle indicates a spatial distribution of the at least one particle. The detected radiation is used to generate an image based on the detected radiation.
The disclosed implementation supports signal boosting and indication of particle response through synchronization of assemblies of spin torque nano-oscillators firing together. The document also describes particle powering/activation by providing an energy storage or production device located outside and/or a current derived from nerve cells with diode current compression. In addition, the document describes the particle being capable of affecting the local environment through electrical energy delivery and/or triggered chemical release, and supports spatially selective stimulation/inhibition using magnetically selected zones.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are present, covering an apparatus for monitoring an in-body environment using an in-body spin torque nano-oscillator particle and an external receiver sensitive to emitted radiation, and a method for imaging neural activity using detected radiation whose emission is sensitive to a neural-associated local environment and to externally applied electromagnetic gradients.
In-body spin torque nano-oscillator particle with external radiation-sensitive receiver
At least one particle introduced into the subject's body, the at least one particle including at least one spin torque nano-oscillator; and at least one receiver located outside the subject's body, wherein the receiver is sensitive to radiation emitted by the at least one spin torque nano-oscillator of the at least one particle.
Neural activity imaging using radiation sensitive to local environment and externally applied gradients
A method for imaging neural activity in a subject's body using at least one particle with a spin torque nano-oscillator that emits electromagnetic radiation, transporting at least one particle into or within the subject's body, applying electromagnetic gradients to the at least one particle by at least one generator located outside the subject's body, detecting the electromagnetic radiation emitted and generating an image based on the detected radiation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitted is sensitive to electromagnetic aspects of a local environment associated with neural activity and sensitive to electromagnetic gradients applied by the one or more generators external to the body, and wherein a spatial distribution of the at least one particle is indicated by a response of the at least one particle to electromagnetic gradients created by at least one generator located outside the subject's body.
Overall claim coverage centers on using an in-body spin torque nano-oscillator particle whose emitted electromagnetic radiation is detected by an external receiver to monitor an environment, and on imaging neural activity by making that radiation sensitive to a neural-associated local environment and to externally applied electromagnetic gradients, with spatial distribution indicated by the particle response to those gradients.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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