Implantable neural interface

A method of controlling a connected device using a system comprising a neural interface arrangement, and an external transmitter device and an external receiver device, or an external transceiver device, said method comprising:

• subdurally implanting a plurality of probes subdurally implanted into or onto a human brain, each probe including at least one sensing electrode, a coil that receives power via inductive coupling, signal processing circuitry coupled to the sensing electrode(s), and a wireless transmitter that wirelessly transmits data-carrying signals arising from the sensing electrode(s);
• implanting a set of coils above the dura, beneath the skull, the set of coils inductively coupling with the coil of each of the plurality of probes, wherein the set of coils is embedded within a device of unitary form;
• connecting a primary coil to the set of coils, the primary coil inductively coupling with the external transmitter device,
• so that the primary coil receives power from the external transmitter device by inductive coupling and causes the set of coils to transmit power to the plurality of probes by inductive coupling, thereby causing the plurality of probes to wirelessly transmit data-carrying signals arising from the sensing electrodes to the external receiver/transceiver device;
• and
• coupling the receiver/transceiver device to a unit configured to process the data arising from the implanted probes and to effect control of a connected device based on said data.

A surgical method of installing a neural interface arrangement into a patient, the neural interface arrangement comprising:

• a plurality of probes for subdural implantation into or onto a human brain, each probe including at least one sensing electrode, a coil for receiving power via inductive coupling, signal processing circuitry coupled to the sensing electrode(s), and a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting data-carrying signals arising from the sensing electrode(s);
• a set of coils for implantation above the dura, beneath the skull, the set of coils being for inductively coupling with the coil of each of the plurality of probes, for transmitting power to the probes, wherein the set of coils is embedded within a device of unitary form;
• and
• a primary coil connected to the set of coils, the primary coil being for inductively coupling with an external transmitter device, for receiving power from the external transmitter device;
• wherein, in use, the primary coil is operable to receive power from the external transmitter device by inductive coupling and to cause the set of coils to transmit power to the plurality of probes by inductive coupling;
• and
• wherein, in use, the plurality of probes are operable to wirelessly transmit data-carrying signals arising from the sensing electrodes;
• the surgical method comprising:
• removing a section of the patient's skull, and associated skin;
• opening the dura beneath the removed skull;
• implanting the plurality of probes into or onto the patient's brain;
• sealing the dura over the implanted probes;
• and
• re-fitting the removed skull section or an artificial replacement therefor, with the set of coils embedded within the device of unitary form having been installed beneath the skull, above the dura, and the primary coil having been installed beneath the skin, above the skull, or elsewhere on the patient's body.