RU2333526C1 - Neuro-electronic multi-channel fiber-optic interface - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: automatics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to automatics. The device incorporates a pack of fiber-optical waveguides combined, on the signal output side, into a flat optical matrix of fiber-optic connector and is connected to a multi-channel matrix comprising light-emitting and light-sensitive cells arranged staggered so that at least one light-emitting and one light-sensitive cell fall on every end face of the said waveguide. On the side facing every waveguide end has a neuronic structure, an active nano-structure incorporating a liquid-crystal modulator sensitive to electric field or to magnetohydroacoustic pulses originating during operation on neurons. Light is transmitted via waveguides to the said neuronic structure. The active nano-structure arranged on the end of every optical fiber helps modulate the light beam in every waveguide depending upon the nearest neuron activity and reflect it back into the said multi-channel matrix to be get converted into electrical form in the light-sensitive cell.

EFFECT: chances of use in prosthetic devices, rehabilitation of paralysed people, in control of production processes, motor vehicles, weapons, for direct output of audio, video, sensor, motor and logical data form neuronic structures for production of invisible control and communication hardware.

4 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The invention relates to connecting input-output devices or devices of a central processor or transmitting information or other signals between these devices.

The invention also relates to measurements for diagnostic purposes, namely to input circuits specifically designed for this purpose, as well as to means of neuro prosthetics.

It is known to use pointed conductors or electrodes placed in glass micropipettes to record nerve cell signals. For the same purposes, glass capillaries filled with an electrolyte with a diameter of several microns are used. They are commonly used as intracellular electrodes to measure potential within a single cell. Typically, such electrodes are made manually.

Multichannel implementations of such devices are known. Usually they contain from 8 to 32 microwires with a diameter of 50 microns from tungsten or stainless steel, insulated with polyimide or teflon. The wires are usually placed in an array of 2 to 8 wires. Wires are implanted in the brain, and the connector is attached to the skull with acrylic glue. For comparison, the average diameter of one neuron is approximately 60 microns, and the size of synaptic contacts is 0.1-0.5 microns. Consequently, a microwire with a diameter of 50 microns almost completely destroys a neuron if it penetrates into it. The neuropulses captured by such devices are, in most cases, integral in nature and should relate to the local region of neurons.

Typically, microwires provide interface viability and recordability for one to two months.

Known multi-channel devices containing electrodes placed in glass micropipettes filled with liquid conductive substances that promote the growth of neurons. Such devices have been viable for up to 16 months.

Multichannel nerve interfaces are known for implantation on the surface of the brain or peripheral nerves. They are limited by the ability to record signals from arrays of neurons located on the surface of the brain no deeper than 5 mm. For highly developed mammals, they allow recordings from the neocortex, peripheral nerves, or other surface structures. However, these are also hand-made devices. For mass applications with the development of microcircuit technology, multichannel devices for connecting to nerve cells, made on silicon substrates called neurochips, began to appear.

One such device is described in US Pat. No. 6,060,276,866 for Microelectrode array for chronic deep-brain microstimulation for recording. An array of microelectrodes for deep brain microstimulation and recording. The invention relates to microelectrodes having a silicon substrate and numerous conductive electrodes for deep brain electrical stimulation or recording of nerve signals. The substrate has an upper end with numerous conductive parts for connection. The invention includes a thin film base polymer substrate that can be flexible enough to follow the 3D contours of a biological system. Numerous channels and electrode locations can be precisely installed on one device for local drug delivery or recording or stimulating neurons. The device contains an array of electrical contacts and an integrated cable for the connector. Such devices are manufactured by mass production of microcircuits and they can be quite cheap. However, the problem with implantability and service life limits their widespread use, despite the use of sponge platinum, conductive polymers and highly resistant polymer coatings.

US Patent Application No. 2006,0241,753 describes a multi-channel device for connecting to neurons of the retina for prosthetics using 98 channels. However, the quality of such prosthetics is not enough. The optic nerve of a healthy eye contains approximately one million individual fibers. Up to 200 hertz signals can be transmitted along each fiber. This is equivalent to an information flow of 200 megabits per second. To create a similar channel based on electric electrodes is impractical. In addition to problems with the manufacture and insulation of ultra-thin electrical conductors and their selective connection, there are even more difficult problems with the implantability of a whole million electrodes, which, when transmitting electrical pulses, will work as microelectrolyzers, decomposing the physiological media of the brain on a water basis and decomposing themselves. This will inevitably lead to allergic reactions and system rejection. While ensuring survival and long-term performance in the complex physiological environment of the brain for hundreds of metal electrodes is an almost impossible task, then for millions of such electrodes it is a technological dead end.

A known flexible polymer microelectrode with a liquid transmitting channel and a method for its production according to the application of US No. 200660282014 "Flexible polymer microelectrode with fluid delivery capability and methods for making the same." This invention includes microelectrodes with at least one layer of microelectrodes between at least two layers of a multilayer polymer substrate, and at least one electrode layer contains channels for fluid to enter the nervous system.

Known interface for US application No. 200,0293578 "Brian machine interface device" (Device for connecting the brain and machine). According to this patent, a distributed and real-time neural interface contains a reader and an array of recording devices. The reader emits and receives radio frequency signals. The array of recorders includes a wireless section and a touch section. The wireless section includes a converter, antenna, and modulator. The converter converts the radio frequency signal. The touch section receives stable power signals. The sensor section is adapted to detect nervous activity and provides output signals containing information indicating such nervous activity to the modulator of the wireless section, whereby the modulator transmits information to the output signals of the reader.

The disadvantage of the described devices is the extreme complexity of implementation, inaccessible to the current level of technological development.

A US patent is known for patent application No. 200660282014 "Flexible polymer microelectrode with fluid delivery capability and methods for making the same", according to which the microelectrode contains a silicon substrate, an array of microelectrodes and layers of polymer substrates.

The disadvantage of this solution is its small scope, limited by the ability to connect with groups of neurons located only on the surface of neurostructures.

The status of work in the field of creating multichannel compounds in developed countries is described in the literature [1-39].

In principle, the problem of creating a conductive two-way interface between a neuron and a semiconductor can be solved using the principle of electric polarization of dielectrics [40–43]. “If you connect a neuron and a semiconductor in such a way that the non-conductive lipid membrane will be in direct contact with the insulating layer of silicon dioxide located on the surface of the p-n junction, you can get the desired two-way interface. Due to the activity of the nerve cell, a weak electric field acts on the dielectric layer, which polarizes them. Direct polarization determines the charge transfer of a transistor located under a layer of silicon dioxide in the source-drain direction. From this begins the interaction of the chip and the neuron. Feedback is achieved by the same polarization effect: the electric field generated by the transistor polarizes the membrane of the neuron, which causes the ion channels to open and close, controlled by proteins sensitive to the electric field. ”

It is traditionally believed that the transmission of nerve signals between neurons is carried out either using neurotransmitters, or directly by electrical means [47-49]. However, prior to the advent of modern theories, a bio-hydraulic model of nervous systems existed [50]. It was put forward by the famous Greek thinker Aristotle (384-322 BC) and supported by the great French scientist Descartes (1596-1650. A number of specific factors in the functioning of the nervous systems and the brain testify in favor of the biohydraulic model. "The speed of movement of the so-called action potential the nerve impulse is more consistent with the speed of propagation of a pressure wave in a viscous fluid and does not correspond at all with the speed of propagation of electricity. Only elastic hydraulic channels, such as the channels of nerve cells, need to be strengthened by their myelin sheaths, since it contributes to an increase in the speed of propagation of the action potential, that is, pressure waves.The destruction of myelin sheaths, as a form of the disease, leads to instability in human movements; the speed of movement of impulses along neurons directly depends on the diameter of the axon, and even such a well-known fact as trembling of a leg when a hammer hits the knee speaks in favor of hydraulic essov [50] ".

The concept of R. Penrose and S. Gamerov is known, according to which neurons are not primary switches of nerve signals, but complex computing devices, the mathematical process of which is carried out using arrays of tubulin protein molecules that make up the walls of the microtubules of the neuron cytoskeleton. This concept suggests that to create neuroelectronic interfaces with sufficiently complex and smart nanostructures, which are neurons, it is not necessary to use purely electrical or electrochemical means. There are many reasons to believe that the transfer of information between neurons can also be carried out on the basis of wave interaction. Neurons can “hear” sound waves and respond to infra- or ultrasonic vibrations of a fluid in their fluid environment. Electron microscopy revealed two kinds of longitudinally oriented neurofibrils in the processes of neurons: tubular (diameter 20-25 nm), the so-called neurotubules constructed from tubulin protein, and filiform formations (diameter 10 nm), the so-called neurofilaments constructed from a protein close to muscle protein actin; neurofilaments are especially numerous in the moving terminal regions of growing axons. Traditionally, microtubules are considered as purely structural elements. Recent evidence [46] has shown that, in addition, there is mechanical signal transmission and communication functions:

- The microtubules of the neuron "spasmodically" move 15 microns (2000 tubulin) per second. Vernon and Woolley (1995) Experimental Cell Research 220 (2) 482-494.

- Microtubules of a neuron vibrate (100-650 Hz) with an offset of 1 nm. Yagi, Kamimura, Kaniya (1994). Cell motility and the cytoskeleton 29: 177-185.

It is well known that any vibration of mechanical bodies in a liquid gives rise to the propagation of hydroacoustic vibrations there - sound in a liquid. Therefore, the work or any other activity of neuron microtubules that vibrate at a frequency of 100-650 hertz can be detected using a highly sensitive pressure sensor or a sensor of hydroacoustic fluid vibrations, the size of which must be comparable with the size of a local oscillation source. In the case of the neural interface, the sizes of the sensors should not exceed the sizes of the neuron, i.e. about 10-50 microns. Thus, if we measure the hydroacoustic activity of a particular neuron and accept the flow of such signals from it, then by deciphering them, we can accurately read the specific information that the neuron or group of neurons processes.

Considering the well-known fact that the myelin protein, from which the elements of the cytoskeleton of the neuron are built, and a number of other substances that are part of the cytoskeleton of the neuron, have weak piezoelectric properties, it becomes clear that any fluid vibrations near the neuron lead to deformation of the cytoskeleton and the appearance of electrical fields. (To be more precise, for liquid crystalline substances, which are almost all tissues of our body, the appearance of an electric field in a layer of a liquid crystal during its deformation is called the flexographic effect. But clarification of the name of the effect of the essence of the phenomenon does not change, therefore, we will use the most general name in the description effect - the piezoelectric effect). It is known that the electric field strength in the piezoelectric effect depends on the rate of increase in strain. It is with this factor that one can easily explain the phenomenon of high intensity of pain sensations known to all during rapid shock mechanical impact on any nerve congestion, including the brain. With slow loading, the piezoelectric effect is weak and pain does not occur. Therefore, vibrations and sound vibrations in a fluid can be used to create neuroelectronic interfaces. Therefore, it is possible to detect changes in the activity of neurons by local polarizing currents that occur in the cell membranes of specific neurons. And in this case, the size of the sensors should be about 10-50 microns.

A neuroelectronic interface is known that acts on the basis of the principle of electrical polarization of the lipid membrane of a neuron through a dielectric layer described in [40-43], or rather, its type, acting through an electrolyte layer. At this interface, the neuron and semiconductor are connected in such a way that the non-conductive lipid membrane of the neuron contacts through an electrolyte layer (physiological intercellular fluid) with an insulating layer of silicon dioxide located on the surface of the pn junction of the sensitive transistor. The electric field generated by the transistor polarizes the membrane of the neuron, which causes the ion channels to open and close, controlled by proteins sensitive to the electric field. In the presence of an electrolyte layer between the neuron membrane and the silicon dioxide layer, the flow of current through the neuron membrane leads to the appearance of a portable extracellular potential in the electrolyte layer, which polarizes the oxide layer, allowing the neuron to interact with the p-n junction. Conversely, this same potential leads to polarization of the cell membrane when voltage is applied to the transistor. Researchers from the Institute. Max Planck's remoteness experimentally confirms the fact that the intracellular potential and the corresponding current passing through the cell membrane causes a response change in the extracellular potential, which is repeated by the transistor.

The fact that neurons interact with polarized objects limits the ability to transmit information using isolated electrical conductors deep into the brain. Since such a conductor itself will already be a polarizer, then all areas of the neurons through which this conductor passes will be necessarily excited when an electric pulse is transmitted through it. This will lead to undesirable effects when transmitting information to the brain. Thus, an isolated electrical conductor is too crude a means of transmitting information and cannot be used to transfer information to the deep structures of the brain without sufficiently thick isolation.

The technical result of the claimed invention allows to create a neuroelectronic interface suitable for obtaining information from deep distributed brain structures and not exciting at the same time the areas of neurons through which the connection elements pass.

To solve this problem, the idea of using a beam of fiber optic fibers as a means that does not create electronic interference in the transmission of information and, on the other hand, allows you to read information from a sufficiently large array of neurons, was used.

The known technology according to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2270493, with which you can connect thousands, tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of fiber-optic communication channels, which is very important for neuroelectronic interfaces.

Also known are polarization modulators of light on liquid crystals [51–64], which are used, in particular, for converting weak acoustic signals into a modulated luminous flux.

Therefore, to read information from an array of brain neurons, it is easiest to transfer a ray of light into the deep brain structure through a fiber, modulate it in the area of the desired neuron using a liquid crystal modulator that is sensitive to the electric field or to pressure fluctuations (hydroacoustic micro pulses), and then reflect it from a reflecting one, for example mirror layer and return this modulated beam back to the same fiber. The connection of a package of optical fibers with computer devices can be implemented using the well-known technology of intelligent multi-contact connections (IMKS). For this, combined matrices can be used in which a matrix of emitters is combined with a receiving matrix.

Consider the basic technologies underlying the proposed solution.

The known technology of intelligent multi-contact connections (IMKS) according to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2270493. According to the patent, for the implementation of multi-contact connection, transmitters (outputs) of the information source device, receivers (inputs) of the information consumer device and the ends of the signal conductor bundle are combined into special matrices. When forming matrices, they do not observe the strict order of the spatial arrangement of their elements and form them randomly or “how it turns out”. The matrices of transmitters and receivers are connected to the corresponding matrices of the bundle of conductors, not necessarily strictly observing their identical mutual arrangement and achieving only the coincidence of the areas of arrangement of the matrix elements. This design of the joints does not require high precision manufacturing and installation, which significantly reduces their cost and expands the possibilities of mass application. After the connection and if the connection is damaged, the resulting communication channels are recognized and stored. Then, using the channel switches, each recognized and identified communication channel is connected to the inputs and outputs of the connected devices in accordance with a given table or connection program. If the connection is damaged, self-diagnosis and regeneration of the connection are carried out. The use of IMCS in neuroelectronic interfaces can solve a number of critical problems. IMKS technology allows you to connect tens or even hundreds of thousands of pins with one connector. So, an optical cable 5 × 5 mm in size, containing optical fibers with a diameter of 17 microns, allows you to create an interface containing up to 20 thousand communication channels (In total, the cable contains 90 thousand fibers). This is enough to create highly effective prostheses for complex nerves that control the limbs, as well as for reading audio, tactile, motor, and to some extent even logical information from neural structures.

Consider the state of the art characterizing the state of development in the field of liquid crystal devices and fiber optic sensors.

Many liquid crystalline substances are known, including liquid crystal polymers suitable for use in the form of films and widely used in the art. Their properties are described in detail in literature [51-64].

The principles of the synthesis of liquid crystal polymers with desired properties [61, 64] have been developed, using which a wide range of modern materials is obtained - from highly sensitive liquid crystal solid films for monitors to heavy-duty Kevlar for body armor. In particular, the following is reported in [64]. “Using these principles, to date, the synthesis of many thousands of LCD structure-diverse polymers has been carried out. In addition to “purely linear” and “purely comb-like” branched macromolecules, there is a wide variety of LC polymers containing paired mesogens, macromolecules with laterally linked mesogenic groups, disk-shaped and cruciform fragments. It is also possible the alternation of different mesogenic groups within the same macromolecule. The fundamental possibility of synthesizing LC polymers constructed from macromolecules, consisting of any combination of mesogenic and non-mesogenic fragments, opens up great opportunities for the molecular construction of new polymer LC compounds. It is important to emphasize that both mesogenic and non-mesogenic groups (in the case of copolymers) included in the composition of macromolecules can possess certain functional properties that ultimately determine the field of practical application of such LC materials. These can be, for example, highly polar groups capable of orientation in electromagnetic fields in the LCD phase, photosensitive groups (“guests”), subjected to directional photochemical changes in the polymer matrix (“host”) (guest-host effect), and other functionally working fragments. "

The names of the synthesized substances are often assigned not on the basis of generally established chemical rules, but, for commercial reasons, so listing them simply makes no sense.

There are many (several thousand) optically active substances that can be used as polarizers. This many substances are characterized, for example, by patent application of the Russian Federation No. 98104984, which describes an optical polarizer including a substrate and one or more polarizing coatings deposited on it, characterized in that the polarizing coating is an anisotropically absorbing birefringent layer of a water-insoluble dichroic dye selected from a number of vat dyes, disperse dyes, anthraquinone dyes, indigo dyes, azo compounds, perinone dyes, polycyclic compounds of heterocyclic derivatives of anthron, metal complexes, aromatic heterocyclic compounds, is luminescent. The polarizing coating further comprises binders or film-forming additives and / or a modifier, which can be used hydrophilic and / or hydrophobic polymers of various types, including liquid crystalline, organosilicon and / or plasticizers and varnishes, including organosilicon and / or nonionic surfactants.

Many designs of modulators and polarizers using liquid crystalline substances are known.

According to the patent of the Russian Federation 2296354, “LIQUID-CRYSTAL SPATIAL-TEMPORARY LIGHT MODULATOR BASED ON FULLER-CONTAINING PYRIDINE STRUCTURES FOR DISPLAY AND TELEVISION TECHNIQUES” is known. The device is a multilayer electro-optical structure consisting of a nematic liquid crystal film (NLC) sensitized by a photosensitive complex with charge transfer based on the system: a photosensitive pyridine-fullerene structure. An orientation coating based on films of non-photosensitive polyimide is used to orient LC molecules.

According to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2141683, a polarizer is known that contains two parallel transparent plates with transparent electrodes on the inner sides, between which there is a film of a polymer-encapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal with positive dielectric anisotropy. Macromolecules in a polymer film are oriented in one direction. Depending on the magnitude of the applied electric field, the device can be in three different optical states: scatter light of any polarization, pass only one plane-polarized component of light, pass light of any polarization.

According to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 96107430, a liquid crystal (LCD) indicator element is known containing a liquid crystal layer located between the first and second plates with electrodes, light converting, polarizing and orienting layers, characterized in that for polarizing light, the polarizing layer is made in the form of a polarizing coating, consisting from an anisotropic absorbing layer of organic dye molecules capable of forming a liquid crystal phase. A birefringent layer is formed on both plates or only on the second plate, which is located between the liquid crystal layer or other layers separating it from the liquid crystal layer and the polarizing coating or other layers deposited on the polarizing coating.

According to the application for the grant of a patent of the Russian Federation No.2000104475, a dichroic polarizer is known containing at least one anisotropically absorbing film of oriented molecules of organic matter, characterized in that it contains at least one polarizing film, and / or at least , one film of conductive material, and / or at least one phase-holding film, and / or at least one birefringent film, and / or at least one orienting film, and / or at least one protective film, and / or, at most at least one LCD film, and / or at least one film that reflects light specularly or diffusely, and / or at least one film that simultaneously functions as any combination of at least two of these films, in this case, at least one of these films may be anisotropically or isotropically absorbing and / or birefringent.

Known optical sensors containing optical fiber, as a means of communication with modulators of various types.

According to the application for the grant of US patent No. 20070025661 "Fiber-optic sensor or modulator using tuning of long period gratings with self-assembled layers" a fiber optic sensor or modulator is known that uses a diffraction grating with a self-assembled layer. It provides ionic self-assembly of a multilayer film on a fiber optic element including a diffraction grating.

In the application for the grant of US patent No. 20050157305 "Micro-optical sensor system for pressure, acceleration and pressure gradient measurements" known micro-optical sensor system for measuring pressure, acceleration and pressure gradient. The optical part of the system is based on a Farby-Perot fiber optic interferometer. Contains modulation and demodulation schemes for the phase of light.

US Patent Application No. 20040031326, Fiber-optic pressure sensor, discloses an optical fiber pressure sensor comprising a pressure measuring head, which includes a diaphragm that functions as a pressure transducer and which moves under pressure and includes at least one optical a light guide directed to the surface of the diaphragm and through which the light emitted by the source is modulated by the surface of the diaphragm having a reflective region and a low reflective region.

In the application for the grant of US patent No. 200447535 "Enhanced fiber-optic sensor" known fiber optic sensor, which includes one or more fiber optic sensor probes, a light source, a light detector. In one implementation, the optical fiber probe includes an optical fiber terminated by a lens.

In the application for the grant of US patent No. 20040021100 "Fiber-optic sensor for measuring level of fluid" known fiber-optic sensor for measuring the liquid level, which consists of an ordered array of many optical fibers. Each fiber contains one sensing element located at a specific level in the range of the liquid level, and transmits various light signals depending on whether the sensitive element is immersed in the liquid or located above the liquid level. The input of the fiber beam is illuminated by a coded light beam. The decoding system provides the ability to detect light signals at the output. The number of fibers in the beam determines the number of sensitive sections located at different levels, and determines the accuracy of level measurement.

U.S. Patent Application No. 20030159518, Ultra-miniature optical pressure sensing system, discloses a pressure-sensitive ultra-miniature optical system that includes a sensor housing and a membrane formed using microcircuit manufacturing techniques. The sensor body has ribs and grooves in both horizontal and vertical directions relative to the surface to allow the membrane to bend. The action of pressure causes the membrane to bend, which is captured by the sensor head.

According to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2003118757, a fiber-optic pressure sensor is known that contains a housing, optical fiber inlet and outlet, relative to the common end of which a glass-shaped membrane with a mirror reflecting surface is installed with a gap, a fitting made in one piece with the membrane, characterized in that the sensor design is introduced the gasket, the common ends of the inlet and outlet optical fibers are fixed in the sleeve, the surface of which, facing the membrane, rests on the end surface of the gasket, the other end th surface of the gasket is based on the union, the internal dimensions of the gasket over the outer membrane of appropriate size.

According to the patent of the Russian Federation 2091984 the "FIBER OPTIC RECEIVER OF THE GRADIENT OF SOUND PRESSURE" is known. The essence of the invention lies in the fact that a single-beam Zehnder-Mach interferometer having as a sensor two fiber coils located at a known distance from each other is supplemented by a multi-beam double-ring interferometer having three optically coupled fiber coils.

According to RF patent No. 2273115, an “OPTICAL MICROPHONE” is known, comprising a housing, a membrane fixed along the perimeter of the housing, a radiation source, a fiber optic light guide, a focusing lens and a photosensitive element, according to the invention it is equipped with a guide lens, a polarizer installed behind it, an analyzer installed in front of the focusing a lens, a photomultiplier and a registrar, while the analyzer is connected through the rod to the inner surface of the membrane with the possibility of rotation using a spring-link mechanism.

The present invention solves the problem of creating means of reading information from a group of neurons located not only on the surface of neurostructures, but also in the depth of the array of neurons.

The technical result obtained from the inventions is to create a new neuroelectronic multi-channel reading interface as a means of connecting computational structures with groups of neurons, allowing information to be output from any parts of the nervous system of biological organisms, including various areas and structures of the brain or spinal cord, sensory organs, nerve nodes, clusters of nerve cells, etc., containing neurons, united by synaptic and axonal connections in any neurostructure .

The main idea of the claimed neuroelectronic interface is as follows.

If in the known neuroelectronic interfaces that read or output information from the neural structure of the neuroelectronic interfaces, the neuron pulse is read by the transistor structure or directly removed from the neuron’s membrane, then removed from it by an insulated electric conductor, then the proposed interface uses a light pulse that is fed through the optical fiber to the neuron modulated there into a signal carrying information about the activity of a neuron by a pulse of the electric field of the neuron membrane or a pulse of vibration and the neuron, and then reflected back into the matrix IMKS that provides connection of a plurality of optical fibers with a computing device. In this case, the optical fibers from the signal input side are combined, for example, by pouring polymer into a packet of optical fiber optical fibers. At the end of the packet by grinding it, a flat optical matrix of a fiber-optic connector is created, which is connected to a combined multi-channel matrix containing light-emitting cells and photodetector cells.

The prototype of the claimed invention is a device according to the patent of the Russian Federation No. 2270493. According to the patent, for the implementation of multi-contact connection, transmitters (outputs) of the information source device, receivers (inputs) of the information consumer device and the ends of the signal conductor bundle are combined into special matrices. The matrices of transmitters and receivers are connected to the corresponding matrices of the bundle of conductors. After the connection, recognition and storage of the formed communication channels is carried out. Then, using the channel switches, each recognized and identified communication channel is connected to the inputs and outputs of the connected devices in accordance with a given connection table.

Solutions are known from medicine when a packet of optical fibers is placed in an outer shell of a streamlined shape made of a soluble substance. The shell may have channels for accessories and may have branches at different distances from the fiber optic connector.

The main differences of the claimed neuroelectronic multi-channel interface are as follows.

1. The multichannel matrix simultaneously contains light-emitting cells, for example LEDs or semiconductor lasers, and photosensitive cells, for example photodiodes or phototransistors.

1.1. The light-emitting and photosensitive cells in the matrix are staggered.

1.2. Light-emitting and photosensitive cells are a matrix of concentric figures:

1.2.1. Light-emitting and photosensitive cells are concentric circles;

1.2.2. Light-emitting and photosensitive cells are concentrically placed figures, for example, triangles, squares, polygons, including with rounded corners at the vertices.

1.2.3. Both light-emitting and light-sensitive concentrically located cells can be both external and internal relative to each other.

1.3. Light-emitting and photosensitive cells are placed in a combined matrix so that at least one light-emitting and photosensitive cell is partially or completely incident on each end of the optical fiber.

Other differences are, in principle, well-known features, partially matching the set of features of a standard liquid crystal modulator. However, the new modulator is implemented at the end of the optical fiber and it does not contain electrodes that modulate the liquid crystal layer with an applied electric field, which is not the case with the known devices and the prototype, therefore this set can be considered a new difference. These differences are included in the second dependent claim in the following form.

2. The active nanostructure comprises a thin-film polarizer, a layer of liquid crystalline substance, and / or a second thin-film polarizer, the plane of polarization of which is rotated relative to the plane of polarization of the first polarizer, deposited in whole or in part and / or on the end of the fiber and / or on its lateral surface, and / or a reflecting mirror or diffuse layer, for example, of metal or of a multilayer dielectric, including elastic.

The dependent features according to claim 3 and 4 of the formula characterize the differences in the nanostructure of the claimed interface, which the prototype does not have.

3. The neuroelectronic multichannel optical fiber interface according to claim 1, characterized in that the active nanostructure contains a liquid crystal substance that is sensitive to mechanical stresses, in particular pressure or hydroacoustic pressure pulses.

4. The neuroelectronic multi-channel optical fiber interface according to claim 1, characterized in that the active nanostructure contains a liquid crystal substance that is sensitive to the electric field and / or to its change.

The invention is illustrated by figures 1-9.

In figures 1-9, the numbers denote:

1 - a combined matrix of IMCS, consisting of light-emitting cells and photosensitive cells;

2 - fiber optic fiber;

3 - sheath of a fiber optic fiber;

4 - a light-emitting cell, for example an LED or a microlaser, an element of the IMKS matrix;

5 - emitted ray of light;

6 - active nanostructure;

7 - a layer of a liquid crystal substance, for example, a polymer based on linear or comb-shaped branched macromolecules or on the basis of molecules containing paired mesogens, macromolecules with laterally linked mesogenic groups, disk-shaped and cruciform fragments;

8 - reflective mirror or diffuse layer, for example, of gold or silver, aluminum, layers of an elastic dielectric, etc .;

9 - thin-film polarizer, a layer of a polarizing substance based on polyvinyl alcohol, stereoregular polyenes, epoxy oligomers with non-linear optical chromophore groups, etc .;

10 - modulated and reflected light beam;

11 - a photosensitive cell, for example a photodiode or phototransistor, an element of the IMKS matrix;

12 is a flat optical matrix of optical fibers;

13 - a package of fiber optic fibers;

14 - outer continuous cladding of a packet of optical fibers;

15 - tip of a soluble substance;

16 - neuron;

17 - synapse;

18 - axon.

The figure 1 shows one optical fiber, connected at the top to the combined matrix of the IMKS, consisting of light-emitting cells and photosensitive cells. At the bottom of the figure, one of the options for an active nanostructure is shown.

In figures 2 and 3 shows the design options of the combined matrix IMCS.

The figure 4 shows a flat optical matrix of optical fibers.

Figure 5 and 6 show the connection options of the combined matrix IMCS and the optical matrix of the optical fibers.

In figures 7 and 8 shows the interface in the shell before the introduction and after some time after the introduction into the neurostructure.

The figure 9 shows the connection diagram of the inventive interface with the neurostructure.

The neuroelectronic interface is arranged as follows.

A packet of fiber optic fibers 2 is connected to a combined matrix 1 consisting of light-emitting cells 4 and photosensitive cells 11. At the same time, light from at least one light-emitting cell 4 enters the end of each fiber 2. The emitted light beam 5 propagates through fiber 2 and reaches the active tip nanostructure 6. The active nanostructure 6 contains the first layer of polarizer 9, deposited in the shown implementation on the end of the fiber 2. On this layer is a layer of liquid crystal substance 7, highly sensitive resistant to pressure or to the electric field. This layer, in turn, is coated with a second layer of polarizer 9, on which a reflective mirror or diffuse layer 8 is applied.

The multi-channel matrix 1 simultaneously contains alternating light-emitting cells 4, for example LEDs or semiconductor lasers, and photosensitive cells 11, for example photodiodes or phototransistors. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting 4 and photosensitive 11 cells in the matrix 1 are staggered.

In another implementation shown in FIG. 3, light emitting 4 and photosensitive 11 cells are a matrix of concentric figures. The figure shows a matrix consisting of concentric squares with rounded corners. The light emitting cells 4 are external to the photosensitive cells 11, which are located in the center of the squares.

Variants are possible where light-emitting and photosensitive cells are concentric circles. In the general case, light-emitting and photosensitive cells can be concentrically placed figures, for example, triangles, squares, polygons, including those with rounded corners at the vertices. Both light emitting 4 and photosensitive 11 concentrically located cells can be both external and internal relative to each other. Light-emitting 4 and photosensitive 11 cells are placed in the combined matrix 1 so that at least one light-emitting and light-sensitive cell is partially or completely attached to each end of the optical fiber 2, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, where the flat optical matrix of the optical fibers 12 is superimposed on the combined matrices 1 of different types.

7 and 8 show a packet of fiber optic fibers 13, placed in the outer continuous sheath 14 of the packet of optical fibers and having a tip 15 of a soluble substance.

The neuroelectronic interface operates as follows.

A packet of fiber optic fibers 13 in the sheath is introduced into the desired neural structure, for example, of the brain through an opening in the skull. After the interface tip 15 is resorbed, the tips 6 of the optical fibers 2, which are distributed in the neural structure among neurons 16, are released near the synapses 17 and axons 18. In the process of functioning of neurons 16, nerve impulses pass along axons 18, which generate polarizing effects that cause local polarization of the membranes of neurons and the associated changes in electrical eskih fields near them. In this case, microscopic hydroacoustic pulses also arise.

In the combined matrix 1, the light beam 5 from the light-emitting cell 4 enters the fiber optic fiber 2 and along it reaches the tip with the active nanostructure 6. Passing through the first polarizer 9, the light is polarized, then modulated by a layer of liquid crystal substance 7.

In one implementation, the layer of liquid crystal substance 7 responds to a change in the electric field of the membranes of neurons 16, which depends on a change in the local polarization of the membranes of neurons 16 during their operation.

In another implementation, the layer of liquid crystal substance 7 responds to microscopic hydroacoustic pulses in interneuronal fluid that arise during the operation of neurons 16, in particular, during the passage of a nerve impulse along axon 18.

The light beam modulated by layer 7 is secondly polarized by the second polarizer 9 and reflected from the reflecting layer 8 back to the matrix 1 in the form of a modulated beam 10. This modulated beam 10 is received by the photosensitive cell 11, converted into an electrical signal and output to an electronic device connected to the matrix 1 by IMKS technologies.

Thus, by reading nerve impulses from neurons, and in the simplest case by recognizing changes in their activity, a neural structure is connected to a computing device.

The more control signals can be taken from a larger number of neurons, the more accurate and complete the information will be received. It is advisable to remove information from groups of neurons, the number of which is close to tens of thousands or even millions. For example, in order to read and understand sensory images or images of sounds, or maybe even words, directly from brain structures, you will have to read information from tens of thousands of neurons. And for reading visual or abstract logical information, for example, for understanding the logical course of a person’s thoughts, it may be necessary to learn how to work with millions or even tens of millions of neurons.

For practical accuracy of control of limb prostheses, for example, a prosthesis with one joint, or for remote control of vehicles or weapons, etc. perhaps you may need significantly fewer channels - about one or two thousand. But, the more channels there are, the more accurate and more diverse can be the control commands that the neurostructure will generate to control the connected object, the more accurate the information received from the neurostructure will be.

When neuro prosthetics, for example, a limb prosthesis using the proposed interface, as a result of constant training, the neurons of the control regions of the brain should gradually establish contacts with nanostructures 6 at the ends of the optical fibers, as shown in Fig. 9, i.e. just like they make new contacts with living neurons. In this case, the axons of the final chains of neurons can approach the nanostructures 6 and even enter into mechanical contact with them, transmitting the information necessary for control. In this case, the order of information output from areas of the brain or nerve node to the neurointerface does not matter. The main thing is that this information flow should be discretized and unambiguously connected with information on the results of the action obtained through the feedback (most likely visual) connection. During training, neurons themselves will be rebuilt into structures that correctly create a control action. Therefore, the methodology for training and activating the process of formation of axon-nanostructured interface contacts should be based on the active use of feedback with the prosthetics.

The proposed neuroelectronic interface allows you to take the next step towards solving a number of important problems related to the possibility of prosthetic limbs, rehabilitation of the paralyzed, the ability to control technological means, transport, weapons, direct output of audio, visual, sensory and motor information from the brain and spinal cord, various nerve nodes, etc. This will create very convenient and invisible externally technical means of communication between people, as well as between people and computers, and even between people and animals.

Realization of the realization of a long-held dream of mankind - gaining the ability to control machines with the help of thought!

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Claims (4)

1. Neuroelectronic multi-channel optical fiber interface containing a packet of optical fibers, placed in an outer shell with a streamlined tip of soluble matter and from the signal output side combined into a flat optical matrix of a fiber optic connector connected to a multi-channel matrix, and, from the side facing the neural structure , at the end of each fiber, for example, and / or at its end and / or on its lateral surface, an active nanostructure is formed, characterized in that the multichannel The matrix at the same time contains light-emitting cells, for example, LEDs or semiconductor lasers, and photosensitive cells, for example, photodiodes or phototransistors, either staggered, or light-emitting and photosensitive cells, are a matrix of concentric figures, for example, concentric circles, triangles, squares, polygons , including with rounded corners at the vertices, moreover, both light-emitting and photosensitive cells can be both external and and internal, relative to each other, while they are placed in a combined matrix so that at least one light-emitting and photosensitive cell gets partially or completely on each end of the fiber optic fiber. 2. The neuroelectronic multi-channel optical fiber interface according to claim 1, characterized in that the active nanostructure comprises a thin-film polarizer, a layer of a liquid crystal substance, a second thin-film polarizer, the polarization plane of which is rotated, fully or partially and / or on the end of the fiber and on its side surface; relative to the plane of polarization of the first polarizer, and a reflecting mirror or diffuse layer, for example, of metal or a multilayer dielectric, including elastic. 3. The neuroelectronic multichannel optical fiber interface according to claim 1, characterized in that the active nanostructure contains a liquid crystal substance sensitive to mechanical stresses, in particular to pressure and / or hydroacoustic pressure pulses. 4. The neuroelectronic multi-channel optical fiber interface according to claim 1, characterized in that the active nanostructure contains a liquid crystal substance that is sensitive to the electric field and / or to its change.

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