A neurological control system for modulating activity of any component or structure comprising the entirety or portion of the nervous system, or any structure interfaced thereto, generally referred to herein as a “nervous system component.” The neurological control system generates neural modulation signals delivered to a nervous system component through one or more neuromodulators, comprising intracranial (IC) stimulating electrodes and other actuators, in accordance with treatment parameters. Such treatment parameters may be derived from a neural response to previously delivered neural modulation signals sensed by one or more sensors, each configured to sense a particular characteristic indicative of a neurological or psychiatric condition.

Closed-loop feedback-driven neuromodulation

Here we present the control, performance and modeling of an untethered electromagnetically actuated magnetic micro-robot. The microrobot, which is composed of neodymiumâironâboron with dimensions 250 I¼m 1 130 I¼m 1 10 I¼m , is actuated by a system of six macro-scale electromagnets. Periodically varying magnetic fields are used to impose magnetic torques, which induce stickâslip motion in the micro-robot. These magnetic forces and torques are incorporated into a comprehensive dynamic model, which captures the behavior of the micro-robot. By pivoting the micro-robot about an edge, non-planar obstacles with characteristic sizes comparable to the robot length can be surmounted. Actuation is demonstrated on several substrates with different surface properties, in a fluid environment, and in a vacuum. Observed micro-robot translation speeds can exceed 10 mm s-1.

Modeling and Experimental Characterization of an Untethered Magnetic Micro-Robot

A patient controls the delivery of therapy through volitional inputs that are detected by a biosignal within the brain. The volitional patient input may be directed towards performing a specific physical or mental activity, such as moving a muscle or performing a mathematical calculation. In one embodiment, a biosignal detection module monitors an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal from within the brain of the patient and determines whether the EEG signal includes the biosignal. In one embodiment, the biosignal detection module analyzes one or more frequency components of the EEG signal. In this manner, the patient may adjust therapy delivery by providing a volitional input that is detected by brain signals, wherein the volitional input may not require the interaction with another device, thereby eliminating the need for an external programmer to adjust therapy delivery. Example therapies include electrical stimulation, drug delivery, and delivery of sensory cues.

Patient directed therapy control

A system and method for an improved biological interface system that processes multicellular signals of a patient and controls one or more devices is disclosed. The system includes a sensor that detects the multicellular signals and a processing unit for producing the control signal based on the multicellular signals. The system may include improved communication, self-diagnostics, and surgical insertion tools.

Biological interface system

A therapy program is selected based on a patient state, where the patient state comprises at least one of a movement state, sleep state or speech state. In this way, therapy delivery is tailored to the patient state, which may include specific patient symptoms. The therapy program is selected from a plurality of stored therapy programs that comprise therapy programs associated with a respective one at least two of the movement, sleep, and speech states. Techniques for determining a patient state include receiving volitional patient input or detecting biosignals generated within the patient's brain. The biosignals are nonsymptomatic and may be incidental to the movement, sleep, and speech states or generated in response to volitional patient input.

Therapy program selection

A brain implant system consistent with embodiments of the present invention includes an electrode array having a plurality of electrodes for sensing neuron signals. A method for manufacturing the electrode array includes machining a piece of an electrically conductive substance to create a plurality of electrodes extending from a base member. Each electrode also has a corresponding base section. A nonconductive layer is provided around at least a portion of the base section of each electrode to support the plurality of electrodes. The base section of the electrodes are then cut to separate the base member from the plurality of electrodes supported by the nonconductive support layer. The present invention also includes a complete brain implant system using the above electrode array.

Microstructured arrays for cortex interaction and related methods of manufacture and use

We propose to bring the instruments to the samples in the form of miniature wireless instrumented robots called the NanoWalkers. With the NanoWalker robot approach, instrumentations and throughput requirements can be adjusted extremely fast by simply adding, replacing, or removing robots at will. It is the aim of this project to develop a powerful and flexible environment that we believe may revolutionize the way drug, biological, material discovery, and characterization will be performed in the future.

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Three-legged wireless miniature robots for mass-scale operations at the sub-atomic scale

The Telemetric Electrode Array System (TEAS) project aims at developing and embedding entirely into the head, a three-dimensional intracortical electrode array with all electronics required for signal acquisition, processing, and wireless communication. A general description of the system, the main design issues, and its capabilities are briefly described.

Development of a wireless brain implant: the Telemetric Electrode Array System (TEAS) project

A new technique for manufacturing microelectrode arrays is described and assessed. This technique uses wire Electrical Discharge Machining (wire EDM) to form detailed array structures from a single sample of solid metal. Chemical etching can then be used to increase the electrode aspect ratios. Electrode lengths of 5 mm, widths of 40 /spl mu/m, and spacings of 250 /spl mu/m have been fabricated using this technique. Arrays of electrodes of varying lengths can also be fabricated. For intracortical recording applications, the signal paths are isolated from one another by securing an insulating substrate.

A highly flexible manufacturing technique for microelectrode array fabrication

Fabrication of a microelectrode array assembly for neural activity recording is described. The assembly forms the mechanical front-end of the telemetric electrode array system, a wireless intracortical recording device designed for motor cortex studies in nonhuman primates. The electrodes are manufactured by wire electrical discharge machining solid titanium. They are then secured in a polyimide substrate. A flexible printed circuit board connector cable connects the array structure to the electrical frontend. Parylene and platinum are used as the encapsulation materials. Results from the implantation of a prototype microelectrode array assembly are discussed.

R. Dyer

Papers

Microstructured arrays for cortex interaction and related methods of manufacture and use

Three-legged wireless miniature robots for mass-scale operations at the sub-atomic scale

Development of a wireless brain implant: the Telemetric Electrode Array System (TEAS) project

A highly flexible manufacturing technique for microelectrode array fabrication

Mechanical assembly of a microelectrode array for use in a wireless intracortical recording device