IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,594,022
Granted Patent B2
US 12,594,022 · App. 17/582,375 · Granted Apr 7, 2026

Integrated, flexible, implantable, optical neural interrogation apparatus, computer-accessible medium, system, and method for use and implementation thereof

Inventors: Kenneth L. Shepard (Ossining, NY); Sajjad Moazeni (New York, NY); Eric Pollmann (New York, NY)
Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
A61B5/4064A61B5/0071A61B5/0084H10F55/255H10F77/1698
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,594,022
App. No.
17/582,375
Granted
Apr 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide for an integrated, flexible, implantable, optical neural interrogation apparatus, computer-accessible medium, system, and method for use thereof. An integrated, flexible, fully-implantable, all-optical neural interrogation apparatus can include, e.g., a 2-dimensional (2D) planar array of optical photodetectors on an integrated electronic chip, the integrated electronic chip including control logic and image-capturing electronic circuitry, an amplitude or phase optical imaging mask for imaging, and a biocompatible packaging.

Claims (30)

1 . A surgical implant for facilitating functional imaging of a tissue, comprising:

an integrated electronic chip; and

a 2-dimensional (2D) planar array of optical photodetectors provided on the integrated electronic chip, the integrated electronic chip including:

i. control logic and image-capturing electronic circuitry,

ii. at least one of an amplitude optical imaging mask or a phase optical imaging mask, and

iii. a biocompatible packaging.

2 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the surgical implant is configured to functionally image the tissue that is nervous tissue or living brain tissue.

3 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the control logic and image-capturing electronic circuitry controls an imaging neuronal activity based on at least one optical reporter, and wherein the at least one optical reporter includes at least one of a genetically-encoded Calcium or voltage-dependent fluorescent protein, a bioluminescence protein, a chemical fluorescent reporter, or a fluorescent nanoparticle reporter.

4 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the imaging is lens-less and is based on computational imaging procedures.

5 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein an imager surface is flexible and conformable to a tissue surface and curvature.

6 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the integrated electronic chip is a single complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip.

7 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the integrated electronic chip is a single CMOS chip, which is die-thinned so as to be flexible and pliable.

8 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible packaging includes a thickness of 500 micrometer or less.

9 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the surgical implant (i) is conformable to a tissue surface and curvature, and (ii) has a sticking structure that facilitates sticking to the tissue surface to minimize implant dislocations.

10 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the optical photodetectors are single-photon avalanche photodiodes (SPADs).

11 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein an imaging field of view is about 0.25 cm 2 or larger.

12 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the surgical implant includes a weight of less than 5 grams.

13 . The surgical implant of claim 4 , wherein the control logic and image-capturing electronic circuitry controls imaging of 3D volumes using computational imaging procedures.

14 . The surgical implant of claim 10 , wherein the SPADs are time-gated.

15 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , further comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs) for fluorescence excitation of the tissue.

16 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are configured to optogenetically stimulate cortical regions in a brain.

17 . The surgical implant of claim 16 , wherein the surgical implant is configured to be used on the tissue having cells that are labeled with cell-specific Opsins to facilitate an optogenetics stimulation.

18 . The surgical implant of claim 16 , wherein the control logic and image-capturing electronic circuitry controls the LEDs provided in a 2D array to perform the optogenetics stimulation with a spatial selectivity and programmable patterns.

19 . The surgical implant of claim 1 , wherein the control logic and image-capturing electronic circuitry controls a wireless transmission of at least one of (i) electrical power and (ii) data in and out of the implant to an external relay station.

20 . A method for facilitating functional imaging of a tissue using a surgical implant, comprising:

providing a 2-dimensional (2D) planar array of optical photodetectors on an integrated electronic chip, the integrated electronic chip including:

i. control logic and image-capturing electronic circuitry,

ii. at least one of an amplitude optical imaging mask or a phase optical imaging mask, and

iii. a biocompatible packaging.

21 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising generating or obtaining at least one functional image of the tissue using the provided 2D planar array of optical photodetectors.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2022
From: SHEPARD, KENNETH L.; MOAZENI, SAJJAD; POLLMANN, ERIC
To: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Reel/Frame 058742/0784 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation PCTUS2020043336 · Jul 23, 2020
Provisional Application 62878050 · Jul 24, 2019
Related Publication 20220218265A1 · Jul 14, 2022
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