# US 12,001,942 B2 · Biological neuron to electronic computer interface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,001,942 B2 - Document ID: US12001942B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/851,949 - Filed: 2017-12-22 - Published: 2019-06-27 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-22 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation - Inventors: Christopher F. Codella; James V. Codella; Noel C. Codella; Vince S. Siu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12001942B2 ## CPC - G06N 3/061: {using biological neurons, e.g. biological neurons connected to an integrated circuit} - G06F 13/4068: {Electrical coupling} - G06N 3/063: using electronic means - G06N 3/08: Learning methods - G06N 3/09: Supervised learning - G06N 3/092: Reinforcement learning - G06N 3/096: Transfer learning - G06N 20/00: Machine learning - G06N: COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SPECIFIC COMPUTATIONAL MODELS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract An apparatus includes a substrate, an array of channels disposed in the substrate, wherein first ends of the channels are exposed to an outside the apparatus, a material disposed in the channel that promotes growth of neural tissue, a plurality of electrodes disposed at second ends of the channels, wherein each channel is aligned with a respective one of the electrodes, and a chip electrically connected to the electrodes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a substrate; an array of channels patterned as grooves in the substrate, wherein first ends of the channels are first openings on a first surface of the substrate and each channel of the array comprises a longitudinal opening on an interface surface of the substrate; a material disposed in each of the channels that promotes growth of neural tissue into the first openings of the channels; a plurality of electrodes in the substrate at second ends of the channels, wherein each channel of the array is aligned with a respective one of the electrodes; and a chip electrically connected to the electrodes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip further comprises at least one of a wired and a wireless communication device communicating to an external computer system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is physically connected a prosthetic device, and the apparatus is configured to conduct signals between axons in the channels and the prosthetic device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip comprises: a communication component; and a computational component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip comprises a plurality of induction generators connected to the electrodes and configured to apply an electric current to axons in the channels. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip comprises a plurality of induction sensors connected to the electrodes configured to sense axon potentials. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a machine learning system configured to create a model matching axon signals to a function of computer system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a machine learning system configured to create a model matching axon signals to a functional arrangement of a prosthetic device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an extended-release hydrogel on the first openings on the first surface of the substrate, wherein the longitudinal opening on an interface surface of the substrate is enclosed by a second substrate bonded to the substrate, wherein the second substrate comprises a second array of channels disposed therein. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of micro-channel structures on sidewalls in each of the channels. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein different ones of the channels have different diameters configured to differentiate types of the neural tissue. ### Claim 12 An apparatus comprising: a substrate; an array of channels patterned as grooves in the substrate, wherein first ends of the channels are first openings on a first surface of the substrate and each channel of the array comprises a longitudinal opening on an interface surface of the substrate; a material disposed in each of the channels that promotes growth of neural tissue into the first openings of the channels; a plurality of electrodes in the substrate; and a chip electrically connected to the electrodes, where the plurality of electrodes comprise: a plurality of electrical induction sensing conductors in the substrate between the channels; and a plurality of electrical induction generating conductors in the substrate between the channels, wherein each of the electrical induction sensing conductors is disposed opposite to a respective one of the electrical induction generating conductors across a respective one of the channels. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an extended-release hydrogel on the first openings on the first surface of the substrate, wherein the longitudinal opening on an interface surface of the substrate is enclosed by a second substrate bonded to the substrate, wherein the second substrate comprises a second array of channels disposed therein. ### Claim 14 An apparatus comprising: a substrate comprising a plurality of stacked chips; an array of channels patterned as grooves in the substrate, wherein first ends of the channels are openings on a first surface of the substrate, wherein each of the channels comprises a longitudinal opening along a length of the respective channel on a surface of a respective one of the stacked chips; a material disposed in each of the channels that promotes growth of neural tissue into the openings of the channels; a plurality of electrodes in the substrate at second ends of the channels, wherein each channel is aligned with a respective one of the electrodes; and an integrated chip electrically connected to the electrodes, wherein a first stacked chip of the plurality of stack chips encloses the longitudinal openings of the channels of a second stack chip of the plurality of stack chips and a third stacked chip of the plurality of chips encloses the longitudinal openings of the channels of the second stack chip of the plurality of stack chips. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the integrated chip is shared by the plurality of stacked chips.