Optical Tissue Interface

Stanford Reference:

07-040

Abstract

Researchers from Prof. Karl Deisseroth's laboratory have developed techniques for specifically modulating the activity of excitable cells in vivo. This approach introduces light-responsive proteins to create photo-sensitive cells. Then fiber optic technology activates these proteins deep within tissues. The general methods can be used to selectively either stimulate or inhibit a variety of cells, including neurons, heart, and muscle cells, even when the target cells are embedded within a community of other cells. Because this invention offers a privileged channel of communication with specific cells, it offers precise control with less side effects on non-targeted cell populations.

Stage of Research:
The inventors have demonstrated this approach by using it to control motor function in the rat. They were able to optically stimulate targeted cells and also recruit downstream neurons in the motor pathway.

Continued Research
The inventors are actively improving the technology and adapting it to new applications.

Related Technologies:
The Deisseroth lab has identified a variety of rhodopsin-like proteins that can be used in neuromodulation. These are described in Stanford Dockets S05-170, S06-398, S08-105 and S08-348. In addition, Stanford Docket S07-203 describes a similar approach using a device that provides multiple sources of cellular control within one device.

Applications

Therapeutic - stimulation or inhibition of specific cells to treat:
- neurological or neuropsychiatric conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, depression, and epilepsy
- cardiac rhythm management
- neuromuscular disorders
Research - tools for elucidating function of excitable cells

Advantages

Specific - light used to selectively modulate targeted cells only and not the surrounding milieu, lowering the chance of side effects
Temporally precise - millisecond time scale
Minimizes tissue disruption:
- separates resistive heat-generating elements from the target tissue
- once implanted, selective activation or inhibition of the photo-sensitive cells can be achieved non-invasively
Low risk of signal attenuation - compared to existing electrical or magnetic technologies, fiber optic device is less susceptible to signal attenuation due to gliosis
Favorable depth penetration from light source

Publications

"Optical Deconstruction of Parkinsonian Neural Circuitry." Gradinaru V, Mogri M, Thompson KR, Henderson JM, Deisseroth K. Science, 2009.
"An optical neural interface: in vivo control of rodent motor cortex with integrated fiberoptic and optogenetic technology." Aravanis A, Wang LP, Zhang F, Meltzer L, Mogri M, Schneider MB, Deisseroth K. J. Neural Eng. 2007 Sept; 4:S143-S156.
"Circuit-breakers: optical technologies for probing neural signals and system" Zhang F, Aravanis AM, Adamantidis A, de Lecea L, Deisseroth K. s. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2007 Aug;8(8):577-81.
US Patent Application: 12/185,624

Innovators & Portfolio

Alexander Aravanis
Karl Deisseroth more technologies from Karl Deisseroth »
Jaimie Henderson more technologies from Jaimie Henderson »
Michael Schneider more technologies from Michael Schneider »
Feng Zhang more technologies from Feng Zhang »

Patent Status

Date Released

10/8/2020 12:00

Licensing Contact

Evan Elder, Associate Director, Licensing and Strategic Alliances, Physica
650-725-9558 (Mobile)
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Related Keywords

MD: neurology: neuromodulation LS: General Therapeutic: Psychiatric Diseases neuromuscular MD: cardiovascular MD: neurology: pain management medical devices: minimally/non-invasive Light Emitting Device epilepsy alzheimer's disease depression Stroke seizure Parkinson's Disease cardiac rhythm management MD: neurology psychiatric cardiac pacing medical devices diseases

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