Photonics platform for optogenetics applications

This technology is a tunable optoelectronic platform that can be used to generate high-resolution, three-dimensional images of cellular networks.

Unmet Need: High-resolution photonics for cell imaging

Current optoelectronic devices can detect, emit, and interface with light for a variety of applications including fiber optic communication systems and digital cameras. Although single optical fibers have been developed to image tissue structures, these approaches lack the spatial resolution to selectively image and activate individual neurons. Additionally, many optogenetic approaches are incompatible with certain biological applications due to the large footprint of traditional circuitry.

The Technology: Integrated and tunable photonics platform capable of single cell microscopy

This technology is an optoelectronic system that consolidates photonic arrays with integrated circuitry to enable small-form microscopy. The technology guides fabrication techniques to yield a substrate-based interposer with embedded functional photonics. A silicon nitride optical array with tunable inference patterns further allows the user to produce a wide range of controllable optical outputs.

This technology has been validated with ChR2 mice models.

Applications:

• Optogenetic stimulation
• Implantable medical imaging devices
• Automated security systems
• Interconnection in optoelectronic devices
• Virtual and augmented reality displays

Advantages:

• Small footprint
• High resolution
• Tunable photonics
• Compatible with all typical substrate materials, including silicon, silicon oxide, glass or sapphire

Lead Inventor:

Michal Lipson, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (US 20190391415)

Patent Pending (WO/2018/098146)

Patent Issued(US 11,662,643)

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU17223, CU18032, CU19330

• Licensing Contact: Greg Maskell