DETECTION OF CATECHOLAMINE LEVELS INSIDE THE NEUROCRANIUM
Embodiments of the present invention may provide techniques that provide improved detection of catecholamines, such as dopamine. For example, in an embodiment, a method for catecholamine sensing may comprise outputting a signal responsive to a level of at least one catecholamine in neural tissue from a catecholamine sensor, analyzing the signal responsive to a catecholamine level in the neural tissue using circuitry connected to the catecholamine sensor, the circuitry comprising at least one computing device comprising a processor, memory accessible by the processor, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, generating, using the circuitry, data representing the catecholamine level in the neural tissue, and transmitting the generated data representing the catecholamine level in the neural tissue using communication circuitry.
1 . A method for catecholamine sensing comprising:
outputting a signal responsive to a level of at least one catecholamine in neural tissue from a catecholamine sensor;
analyzing the signal responsive to a catecholamine level in the neural tissue using circuitry connected to the catecholamine sensor, the circuitry comprising at least one computing device comprising a processor, memory accessible by the processor, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor;
generating, using the circuitry, data representing the catecholamine level in the neural tissue; and
transmitting the generated data representing the catecholamine level in the neural tissue using communication circuitry.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the catecholamine sensor comprises a plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes are coated with at least one of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroether.
4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes are coated with a tetrafluoroethylene main chain with perfluoroether side chains terminated with a sulfonic acid group.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the coating of the plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes improves the detection of catecholamines.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the detected catecholamine comprises epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the catecholamine sensor comprises a plurality of structures including at least one of graphene, carbon nanohorns, graphene nanofoams, graphene nanorods, and graphene nanoflowers.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a device implanted in the neurocranium.
9 . A catecholamine sensor system comprising:
a catecholamine sensor configured to output a signal responsive to a level of at least one catecholamine in neural tissue;
circuitry connected to the catecholamine sensor comprising at least one computing device comprising a processor, memory accessible by the processor, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform:
analyzing the signal responsive to a catecholamine level in the neural tissue, and
generating data representing the catecholamine level in the neural tissue; and
communication circuitry configured to transmit the generated data representing the catecholamine level in the neural tissue.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the catecholamine sensor comprises a plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes are coated with at least one of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroether.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes are coated with a tetrafluoroethylene main chain with perfluoroether side chains terminated with a sulfonic acid group.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the coating of the plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes improves the detection of catecholamines.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the detected catecholamine comprises epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine.
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the catecholamine sensor comprises a plurality of structures including at least one of graphene, carbon nanohorns, graphene nanofoams, graphene nanorods, and graphene nanoflowers.
16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the system comprises a device implanted in the neurocranium.