In-vivo Stimulation Measuring Probe

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The invention is a lightweight, implantable probe for use in living animals, especially small vertebrates like mice, which can stimulate specific nerve cells in the brain using targeted light (optogenetics) and simultaneously measure their electrical activity. The probe is equipped with at least one motor-controlled needle that can be precisely positioned within the brain and has both electrical contacts for pulse measurement and an integrated light source for optical stimulation. Data can be transmitted wirelessly to an external processing unit, allowing for the study of freely moving animals.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Studying brain function and neural circuits in small animals such as mice, rats, and guinea pigs.
• Researching neurological disorders or behaviors by selectively stimulating and recording single or multiple neurons.
• Testing new treatments for neurological diseases (e.g., epilepsy, Parkinson's disease) through precise neural intervention.
• Enabling advanced neurobiology experiments that require stimulation and measurement in freely moving test subjects.
• Development of neural interfaces and brain-machine interface technologies.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Allows simultaneous optical stimulation and electrical measurement of specific neurons in vivo, offering deeper insights into brain activity.
• Minimally invasive and lightweight design enables use in small, freely moving animals without restricting their mobility.
• Highly precise control and positioning using a microactuator, enabling accurate stimulation and recording.
• Wireless (telemetric) data transmission reduces the need for tethered setups, minimizing experimental bias caused by cables.
• Supports research in fields like optogenetics, greatly facilitating advanced neuroscience and behavioral experiments.
• Modular system with optional external processing unit and battery pack improves flexibility for complex experiments.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring probe and a system for the targeted optical in-vivo stimulation of nerve cells and for the electrical measurement of nerve cell pulses. The measuring probe comprises at least one measuring needle for automatically controlled, motorized in-vivo insertion into a brain of a vertebrate, there being mounted on the needle at least one electrical measuring pick-up for contacting at least one brain nerve cell so as to measure its activity. Moreover, the measuring probe comprises at least one light source, with the emitted light of which the at least one nerve cell can be optically stimulated.