Artificial synapse chip
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford University
InventorsHarvey A. Fishman, David Bloom, Stacey F. Bent, Mark C. Peterman, Jaan Noolandi, Neville Mehenti
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Abstract
Devices and methods are provided for administering a fluid to a neuronal site. The device comprises a reservoir, an aperture in fluid connection to the reservoir, and electrical means for moving to the fluid to or through the aperture. The electrical means may take the form of electroosmotic force, piezoelectric movement of a diaphragm or electrolysis of a solution. The electrical means may be external to the host, implanted in the host or may be photodiodes activated by light, particularly where the neuronal site is associated with the retina.
Claims22
An ocular implant comprising:
- (a) a housing having a surface biocompatible with at least a portion of a neuronal cell;
- (b) an aperture in said surface, wherein said surface is micropatterned for directing a neuronal cell process toward said aperture, and said aperture capable of receiving said neuronal cell process;
- (c) a reservoir containing a fluid connected to said aperture, said aperture providing a conduit for delivery of said fluid from said reservoir to said neuronal cell process in said aperture;
- and
- (d) a flow regulator pump in operable relationship with said fluid in said reservoir for moving said fluid to said aperture,
- wherein said implant is oxidized and coated with a polyimide layer to reduce capacitance.
An ocular implant comprising:
- (a) a housing having at least one aperture and a surface biocompatible with at least a portion of a neuronal cell, said surface being micropatterned for directing growth of a neuronal cell process to said aperture, and said aperture capable of receiving said neuronal cell process;
- (b) a reservoir containing a fluid connected by a channel to each said aperture said aperture providing a conduit for delivery of said fluid from said reservoir to said neuronal cell process in said aperture;
- and
- (c) an electrically controlled flow regulator pump in operable relationship with said fluid in said reservoir for moving said fluid to said apertures,
- wherein said device is oxidized and coated with a polyimide layer to reduce capacitance.
An ocular implant comprising:
- (a) a housing of a flexible material having a surface biocompatible with at least a portion of a neuronal cell;
- (b) an aperture in said surface, wherein said surface is micropatterned for directing a neuronal cell process toward said aperture;
- (c) a reservoir connected to said aperture;
- and
- (d) a flow regulator pump operable relationship with fluid in said reservoir for moving said fluid to said aperture,
- wherein said device is oxidized and coated with a polyimide layer to reduce capacitance.
An ocular implant comprising:
- (a) a housing having a surface biocompatible with at least a portion of a neuronal cell;
- (b) an aperture in said surface;
- (c) a reservoir connected to said aperture;
- and
- (d) a flow regulator pump in operable relationship with fluid in said reservoir for moving said fluid to said aperture, wherein said flow regulator pump comprises at least one of a flexible housing, a flexible membrane pump or a light sensitive polymer flow regulator pump;
- wherein said device is oxidized and coated with a polyimide layer to reduce capacitance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.