Multilayered composite material utilizing quantum dot based photovoltaic effect for bi-directional brain-computer interface

#The present invention generally relates to interfaces with biological tissues, and more particularly to composite materials including quantum dot based photovoltaic effects for providing interfaces with biological tissues.

#The effect of electric impulses on nervous system has been attracting attention of doctors and researchers to develop new treatment approaches in neuromodulation, neurostimulation, neuroprosthetics, and brain-computer interface. Neurostimulation has been gained acceptance and popularity in a form of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD).

#Since first introduction, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been approved as an effective treatment for variety of neurodegenerative diseases (ND), chronic pain, psychiatric disorders, and dystonias. Many neurodegenerative diseases (ND) (e.g. Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), etc.) occur when neurons begin to deteriorate, lose their function and eventually die. This results in severe deterioration of mental capacity and/or physical functions, which leads to disability and death. Neurodegeneration is not solely limited to seniors. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy has been found in combat veterans and contact sport athletes.

#The following description will provide details of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photovoltaic unit including a plurality of fiber substrates, e.g., optical fibers, embedded with quantum dots, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a two dimensional multi-layered piezoelectric amplifier structure to send and receive signals in which at least one layer of the two dimensional structure includes carbon nanotubes.

#Methods, systems and compositions are provided herein that employ quantum dot and fiber-optic based technology, and a set of devices based on this technology. In some embodiments, the methods systems and computer program products that are described herein can provide a multichannel bi-directional broadband high-density signal exchange interface between the brain, or other excitable tissue targets and the computing devices.

#The technology is designed for acquiring/receiving/sensing electric impulses from the brain and/or spinal cord and transmitting them to electronic devices, as well as delivering impulses from electronic devices to the target areas of the brain/spinal cord.

#FIG. 1 depicts a photovoltaic unit 100 including a biological interface 30 and a plurality of fiber substrates 55, e.g., optical fibers, embedded with quantum dots 50. In FIG. 1, the structure identified by reference number 50 is a cluster of quantum dots. It is noted that the fiber substrates 55 are hereafter referred to as being optical fibers 55. However, this is only one embodiment of the disclosure, and the fiber substrates 55 are not limited to only being optical fibers.