Duke University

The State University of New York

John K Chapin

Miguel A L Nicolelis

Patrick D Wolf

James C Morizio

Timothy L Hanson

Linda Hermer

Raymond Vazquez

Sanjiv K Talwar

Shaohua Xu

Emerson S Hawley

Johan Wessberg

Miguel AL Nicolelis

Electronic components, including a transceiver () for two-way wireless communications, are carried by a freely roaming animal () such as a rat. Electrodes are implanted in the brain of the animal to provide cues and rewards to the animal to achieved desired behaviors, including controlling the direction and speed of movement of the animal, and training the animal to recognize odors. Network interface components () allow a network of the animals to work together. Sensors () carried by the animal provide information to a remote base station regarding, e.g., heading and location. Chemical or gas sensors, along with a video camera and a microphone provide information regarding an environment of the animal. The animal can search for people buried in rubble piles, and detect explosives, chemicals or other dangerous materials. A vehicle () for deploying the animal is also provided.

Method and apparatus for teleoperation, guidance and odor detection training of a freely roaming animal through brain stimulation

Movement of a freely roaming animal (), such as a rat, is guided using electric stimulation of the animal's brain. Cues are provided to the animal to move forward by stimulating a reward center of the brain. Cues are provided to the animal to change its direction by stimulating portions of the animal's brain that control right and left movements, such as a cortical representation of whiskers of the animal. Multi-channel, remotely controlled equipment () may be carried by the animal to enable independent energizing of electrodes attached to different regions of the animal's brain. A transmitter carried by the animal may report back data to allow monitoring. A component may be carried by the animal for carrying out a mission, such as for search and rescue or surveillance. Groups of animals may be controlled in real-time by coordinating their movements and tracking their locations.

Method and apparatus for guiding movement of a freely roaming animal through brain stimulation

A closed loop brain-machine interface is disclosed. The closed loop brain-machine interface translates one or more neural signals into a movement, or a series of movements, performed by a machine. The close-loop brain-machine interface also provides sensory feedback to the subject. Methods of employing the closed loop brain-machine interface are also disclosed.

Closed loop brain machine interface

Neurochip for Neuroprosthetic Control. According to one embodiment, a neural spike detection system is provided. The neural spike detection system can include a signal receiver operable to receive a plurality of neural signals including neural spikes. The system can also include a neural spike detector adapted to communicate with the signal receiver and detect neural spikes in the plurality of neural signals. Further, the system can include a transmitter connected to the neural spike detector and operable to transmit an information signal when a neural spike is detected.

Apparatus for acquiring and transmitting neural signals and related methods

Growing community of inventors

Atlantic Beach, NY, United States of America

John K Chapin