Abstract: A nerve in a mammal is optogenetically transduced, wherein the nerve is susceptible to stimulus by selective application of transdermal light, and a light source is applied to dermis of the mammal at or proximate to the optogenetically transduced nerve, to thereby stimulate the nerve. A wearable device for optogenetic motor control and sensation restoration of a mammal includes a wearable support, a power source at the wearable support, a controller at the wearable support and in electrical communication with a power source, and a transdermal light source coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A nerve in a mammal is optogenetically transduced, wherein the nerve is susceptible to stimulus by selective application of transdermal light, and a light source is applied to dermis of the mammal at or proximate to the optogenetically transduced nerve, to thereby stimulate the nerve. A wearable device for optogenetic motor control and sensation restoration of a mammal includes a wearable support, a power source at the wearable support, a controller at the wearable support and in electrical communication with a power source, and a transdermal light source coupled to the controller.

Abstract: A magnetometer can include a single, integrated, unitary structure that has a gas cell defining a cavity having a vapor or vaporizable material disposed therein, a collimating element coupled to the gas cell and configured for collimating light directed toward the gas cell, and a lens element coupled the gas cell and configured for redirecting at least a portion of light that has passed through the gas cell. Additionally or alternatively, a gas cell of a magnetometer may be made of sapphire.

Abstract: Proprioceptive feedback is provided in a residual limb of a person that includes forming a linkage between a pair of agonist and antagonist muscles, forming a sliding surface over which the agonist and antagonist muscles slide. The sliding surface can include a synovial sleeve, a bridge formed between the distal ends of bones, or a fixture that is osseointegrated into the bone. The invention also includes a system for transdermal electrical communication in a person that includes a percutaneous access device, a sensory device that communicates signals between a muscle and the percutaneous device, and a stimulation device in communication with the percutaneous access device. In another embodiment, a closed-loop functional stimulation system restores lost functionality to a person that suffers from impairment of a neurological control system or at least partial loss of a limb.

Abstract: Proprioceptive feedback is provided in a residual limb of a person that includes forming a linkage between a pair of agonist and antagonist muscles, forming a sliding surface over which the agonist and antagonist muscles slide. The sliding surface can include a synovial sleeve, a bridge formed between the distal ends of bones, or a fixture that is osseointegrated into the bone. The invention also includes a system for transdermal electrical communication in a person that includes a percutaneous access device, a sensory device that communicates signals between a muscle and the percutaneous device, and a stimulation device in communication with the percutaneous access device. In another embodiment, a closed-loop functional stimulation system restores lost functionality to a person that suffers from impairment of a neurological control system or at least partial loss of a limb.

Abstract: A magnetometer can include a single, integrated, unitary structure that has a gas cell defining a cavity having a vapor or vaporizable material disposed therein, a collimating element coupled to the gas cell and configured for collimating light directed toward the gas cell, and a lens element coupled the gas cell and configured for redirecting at least a portion of light that has passed through the gas cell. Additionally or alternatively, a gas cell of a magnetometer may be made of sapphire.

Abstract: A nerve in a mammal is optogenetically transduced, wherein the nerve is susceptible to stimulus by selective application of transdermal light, and a light source is applied to dermis of the mammal at or proximate to the optogenetically transduced nerve, to thereby stimulate the nerve. A wearable device for optogenetic motor control and sensation restoration of a mammal includes a wearable support, a power source at the wearable support, a controller at the wearable support and in electrical communication with a power source, and a transdermal light source coupled to the controller.

Abstract: Proprioceptive feedback is provided in a residual limb of a person that includes forming a linkage between a pair of agonist and antagonist muscles, forming a sliding surface over which the agonist and antagonist muscles slide. The sliding surface can include a synovial sleeve, a bridge formed between the distal ends of bones, or a fixture that is osseointegrated into the bone. The invention also includes a system for transdermal electrical communication in a person that includes a percutaneous access device, a sensory device that communicates signals between a muscle and the percutaneous device, and a stimulation device in communication with the percutaneous access device. In another embodiment, a closed-loop functional stimulation system restores lost functionality to a person that suffers from impairment of a neurological control system or at least partial loss of a limb.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, electrical connections are fabricated between two orthogonal surfaces by electroplating. The two surfaces are separated (except for the electrical connections) by a gap of not more than 100 micrometers. Multiple electrical connections may be fabricated across the gap. In preparatory steps, conductive pads on the two surfaces may be separately electroplated to build up “bumps” that make it easier to bridge the remainder of the gap in a final plating step. Alternately, electroless deposition may be used instead of electroplating. In exemplary implementations, a 3D probe array may be assembled by inserting array structures into an orthogonal base plate. The array structures may be aligned and held in place, relative to the base plate, by mechanical means, including side hooks, stabilizers, bottom hooks, alignment parts and a back plate.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, high-throughput screening of a mammalian brain is performed to locate neural circuit targets of interest. A variety of search patterns may be used for this neural screening, including (a) iterative subdivision, (b) serial search, and (c) combinatorial. To perform this neural screening, an array of optical fibers (or an array of waveguides) is inserted into the brain. Alternately, the array is positioned adjacent to the brain. Each fiber or waveguide in the array is coupled to a light source (LED or laser). The brain has been previously sensitized to light, using genetically encoded optical neural control reagents, which are delivered either using viruses or via transgenic means. In the screening, the array is used to optically perturb the brain. For example, the neurons of the brain may be activated by one color of light, and/or silenced by another color of light.

Abstract: This invention may be implemented as a microstructure probe for delivering light of variable color and/or power, via a set of integrated lightguides, from an optical source (or set of sources) to regions spatially arranged 3-dimensionally, with a length scale of microns to millimeters. In exemplary embodiments of this invention, a microstructure probe comprises many lightguides and is adapted to be inserted into neural or other tissue. The lightguides run in parallel along at least a portion of the axis of the probe. The probe may deliver light to many points along the axis of insertion of the probe. This invention may be implemented as an array of two or more such probes (each of which comprises multiple lightguides). This array may be used to deliver light to neural tissue in a complex 3D pattern.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, electrical connections are fabricated between two orthogonal surfaces by electroplating. The two surfaces are separated (except for the electrical connections) by a gap of not more than 100 micrometers. Multiple electrical connections may be fabricated across the gap. In preparatory steps, conductive pads on the two surfaces may be separately electroplated to build up “bumps” that make it easier to bridge the remainder of the gap in a final plating step. Alternately, electroless deposition may be used instead of electroplating. In exemplary implementations, a 3D probe array may be assembled by inserting array structures into an orthogonal base plate. The array structures may be aligned and held in place, relative to the base plate, by mechanical means, including side hooks, stabilizers, bottom hooks, alignment parts and a back plate.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, high-throughput screening of a mammalian brain is performed to locate neural circuit targets of interest. A variety of search patterns may be used for this neural screening, including (a) iterative subdivision, (b) serial search, and (c) combinatorial. To perform this neural screening, an array of optical fibers (or an array of waveguides) is inserted into the brain. Alternately, the array is positioned adjacent to the brain. Each fiber or waveguide in the array is coupled to a light source (LED or laser). The brain has been previously sensitized to light, using genetically encoded optical neural control reagents, which are delivered either using viruses or via transgenic means. In the screening, the array is used to optically perturb the brain. For example, the neurons of the brain may be activated by one color of light, and/or silenced by another color of light.

Abstract: According to principles of this invention, the photoelectrochemical effect (“PE effect”) may be greatly reduced or eliminated, even when an electrode is immersed in an electrolyte and exposed to light, by using a transparent conductor to record electrical activity. Thus, an electrode with a clear conductor may be used to accurately record electrical activity of neurons and other cells that are exposed to light in vivo or in vitro. Such an electrode eliminates or greatly reduces the artifacts that would otherwise be caused by light due to the PE effect.

Abstract: This invention may be implemented as a microstructure probe for delivering light of variable color and/or power, via a set of integrated lightguides, from an optical source (or set of sources) to regions spatially arranged 3-dimensionally, with a length scale of microns to millimeters. In exemplary embodiments of this invention, a microstructure probe comprises many lightguides and is adapted to be inserted into neural or other tissue. The lightguides run in parallel along at least a portion of the axis of the probe. The probe may deliver light to many points along the axis of insertion of the probe. This invention may be implemented as an array of two or more such probes (each of which comprises multiple lightguides). This array may be used to deliver light to neural tissue in a complex 3D pattern.