Vanderbilt University

Northwestern University

Lockheed Martin Company

University of Pittsburgh

Case Western Reserve University

E Duco Jansen

Anita Mahadevan-Jansen

Jonathon D Wells

Peter E Konrad

Changquing C Kao

Charles A Lemaire

Mark P Bendett

James Stocker Webb

Claus-Peter Richter

Michael W Jenkins

Hillel Judah Chiel

Wei-Chiang Lin

Steven A Toms

Robert Friedman

Austin R Duke

Agnella Izzo

Anna Roe

Joseph I Walsh, Jr

Mykyta Chernov

Jonathan Cayce

Kendrick M Shaw

Emilie H Lothet

Charles Horn

Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of applying infrared neural stimulation (INS) to the central nervous system (CNS) of a target. The methods includes applying a pulsed infrared laser at a stimulation site in the CNS; and evoking responses from a region of interest of the CNS that is at or adjacent to the stimulation site by the pulsed infrared laser. In the method, the pulsed infrared laser penetrates a predetermined penetration depth of the stimulation site. Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an apparatus for applying INS to the CNS of a target. The apparatus includes a generator generating a pulsed infrared laser, which penetrates a predetermined penetration depth of a stimulation site to evoke a response from the CNS, and an optical medium adapted for delivering the pulsed infrared laser at the stimulation site of the CNS.

Method and apparatus of pulsed infrared light for central nervous system neurons

The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a system for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. The system comprises an energy source capable of generating optical energy, a connector having a first end and a second end capable of transmitting optical energy, and a probe operably coupled to the second end of the connector and having an end portion for delivering optical energy to a target neural tissue. In one embodiment, the energy source comprises a tunable laser.

System and methods for optical stimulation of neural tissues

An apparatus and method for stimulating animal tissue (for example to trigger a nerve action potential (NAP) signal in a human patient) by application of both electrical and optical signals for treatment and diagnosis purposes. The application of an electrical signal before or simultaneously to the application of a NAP-triggering optical signal allows the use of a lower amount of optical power or energy than would otherwise be needed if an optical signal alone was used for the same purpose and effectiveness. The application of the electrical signal may precondition the nerve tissue such that a lower-power optical signal can be used to trigger the desired NAP, which otherwise would take a higher-power optical signal were the electric signal not applied. Some embodiments include an implanted nerve interface having a plurality of closely spaced electrodes placed transversely and/or longitudinally to the nerve and a plurality of optical emitters.

Method and nerve stimulator using simultaneous electrical and optical signals

The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of generating at least one beam of radiation; introducing at least one of one or more chromophores and one or more optical agents to a target neural tissue; and delivering the at least one beam of radiation to the target neural tissue, wherein the at least one beam of radiation is delivered with a radiant exposure that causes a thermal gradient in the target neural tissue, thereby stimulating the target neural tissue.

Apparatus and methods for optical stimulation of neural tissues

A cochlear implant placed in a cochlea of a living subject for stimulating the auditory system of the living subject, where the auditory system comprises auditory neurons. In one embodiment, the cochlear implant includes a plurality of light sources, {L}, placeable distal to the cochlea, each light source, L, being operable independently and adapted for generating an optical energy, E, wherein i=1, . . . , N, and N is the number of the light sources, and delivering means placeable in the cochlea and optically coupled to the plurality of light sources, {L}, such that in operation, the optical energies {E} generated by the plurality of light sources {L} are delivered to target sites, {G}, of auditory neurons, respectively, wherein the target sites Gand Gof auditory neurons are substantially proximate to the apical end and the basal end of the cochlea, respectively.

Apparatus and methods for optical stimulation of the auditory nerve

Optical spectroscopy for brain tumor demarcation was investigated in this study. Fluorescence and diffuse reflectance spectra were measured from normal and tumorous human brain tissues in vitro. A fluorescence peak was consistently observed around 460 nm (&plusmn;10 nm) emission from both normal and tumorous brain tissues using 337 nm excitation. Intensity of this fluorescence peak (F ) from normal brain tissues was greater than that from primary brain tumorous tissues. In addition, diffuse reflectance (Rd) between 650 nm and 800 nm from white matter was significantly stronger than that from primary and secondary brain tumors. A good separation between gray matter and brain tumors was found using the ratio of F and Rd at 400 nm-600 nm. Two empirical discrimination algorithms based on F (400 nm-600 nm), Rd (600 nm-800 nm), and F (400 nm-600 nm)/Rd (400 nm-600 nm) were developed. These algorithms yielded an average sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 93%, respectively.

Tumor demarcation using optical spectroscopy

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Nashville, TN, United States of America

E Duco Jansen