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Publication Number
US-12263341-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for providing neuronal stimulation signals configured to elicit sensory percepts in the cortex of an individual, comprising device for obtaining spatial information relating to the actual or planned position of a neuronal stimulation device relative to afferent axon(s) targeting sensory neuron(s) in the cortex of the individual and device for determining a neuronal stimulation signal to be applied to the afferent axon(s) via the neuronal stimulation device based at least in part on the obtained spatial information.
Core Innovation
A neuronal communication system is described for providing neuronal stimulation signals configured to elicit sensory percepts in the cortex of an individual. The system obtains spatial information relating to the actual or planned position of at least one neuronal stimulation device relative to at least one afferent axon targeting at least one sensory neuron in the cortex, linking the stimulation device position to the axons and sensory neurons intended to be activated.
Based on the obtained spatial information, the system determines at least one neuronal stimulation signal to be applied to the afferent axon via the neuronal stimulation device. This determination is performed based at least in part on electrical properties of brain tissue of the individual surrounding the actual or planned position of the device, and comprises determining an excitation probability of one or more of the afferent axon and the sensory neuron using one or more of a finite element method and a neuronal compartment model.
The neuronal stimulation signal is then provided to the neuronal stimulation device configured to apply the signal to the afferent axon to elicit sensory percepts in the cortex. Additional embodiments include obtaining tractography information, neuronal connectivity information, and neuroimaging data of a volume of brain tissue surrounding the device position, and using those inputs to estimate electrical properties and compute excitation probability.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims: a method, a system, and a non-transitory memory medium. Across the independent claims, the inventive features center on obtaining spatial information between a neuronal stimulation device and afferent axons, determining stimulation signals using tissue electrical properties and excitation probability modeling, and providing the signals to the device for eliciting sensory percepts in cortex.
Spatial information between stimulation device and afferent axon
Obtaining spatial information relating to the actual or planned position of at least one neuronal stimulation device relative to at least one afferent axon targeting at least one sensory neuron in the cortex of the individual.
Excitation-probability signal determination using tissue electrical properties and modeling
Determining at least one neuronal stimulation signal to be applied to the at least one afferent axon via the at least one neuronal stimulation device based at least in part on the obtained spatial information, wherein determining the at least one neuronal stimulation signal is performed based at least in part on electrical properties of brain tissue of the individual surrounding the actual or planned position of the at least one neuronal stimulation device, and wherein determining the at least one neuronal stimulation signal comprises determining an excitation probability of one or more of the at least one afferent axon and the at least one sensory neuron based at least in part on the actual or planned position of the at least one neuronal stimulation device by using one or more of a finite element method and a neuronal compartment model.
Providing neuronal stimulation signals to the stimulation device to elicit sensory percepts
Providing the at least one neuronal stimulation signal to the at least one neuronal stimulation device configured to apply the at least one neuronal stimulation signal to the at least one afferent axon.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is consistent: spatially relate the stimulation device to afferent axons targeting sensory neurons in cortex, determine stimulation signals using surrounding brain-tissue electrical properties and excitation probability computed with a finite element method and neuronal compartment model, and provide the signals to the stimulation device configured to apply them to the afferent axons to elicit sensory percepts.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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