Columbia Technology Ventures

Wireless ultrasound-based stimulation of the nervous system

This technology is an ultrasound-based vascular neural interface (VNI) that allows for stimulation of both the central and peripheral nervous system, notably the vagus nerve, for treatment of neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions.

Unmet Need: Non-invasive interventions for brain stimulation with low risk of complications

Current methods for brain stimulation usually involve invasive surgery to implant electrodes. Intravascular neural interfaces exist and are less invasive, however, these approaches still use wired devices. These can degrade over time, and pose other risks including wire breakage, thrombosis and endothelialization along the length of the wire. There are currently no non-invasive wireless methods for stimulation of the central and peripheral stimulation.

The Technology: Non-invasive wireless ultrasound-based brain stimulation

This technology is a vascular neural interface that uses a wireless ultrasound-based method to stimulate both the central and peripheral nervous system, notably the vagus nerve. The device consists of flexible microfabricated electrode arrays made with integrated circuit design that can be delivered in a non-invasive way. Multiple devices can be implanted in the same person allowing interfaces across different brain regions.

The technology has been tested in vitro using silicone mock vessels, and in vivo in rabbit carotid arteries.

Applications:

  • Deep brain stimulation
  • Vagus nerve stimulation
  • Treatment of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders
  • Wireless brain monitoring
  • Brain-computer interface
  • Vascular baroreceptor stimulation for management of hypertension

Advantages:

  • Wireless, non-invasive
  • No risk of surgical complications
  • Less risk of thrombosis, endothelialization or device degradation
  • Allows multiple device implantation and interface across various brain regions
  • Compatible with current minimally invasive stent procedures
  • Highly flexible device
  • Increased therapeutic applications

Lead Inventor:

Kenneth Shepard, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference: