Calibration systems and methods for neural interface devices

Abstract

A system and method for a neural interface system with integral calibration elements may include a sensor including a plurality of electrodes to detect multicellular signals, an interface to process the signals from the sensor into a suitable control signal for a controllable device, such as a computer or prosthetic limb, and an integrated calibration routine to efficiently create calibration output parameters used to generate the control signal. A graphical user interface may be used to make various portions of the calibration and signal processing configuration more efficient and effective.

1 - 159 . (canceled)  
     
     
         160 . A neural interface system comprising: 
 a sensor configured to detect multicellular signals emanating from the central nervous system of a patient, the sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes for chronic detection of the multicellular signals;    an interface configured to receive the multicellular signals from the sensor and process the multicellular signals to produce processed signals, the interface being further configured to transmit the processed signals to a controlled device;    the controlled device configured to receive the processed signals; and    an integrated calibration system configured to perform a calibration routine to generate one or more calibration output parameters for use by the interface to produce processed signals;    wherein the calibration routine is configured to be performed by an operator at least one time during the use of the system.    
     
     
         161 . The system of  claim 160  wherein the sensor and the interface are implanted in the patient.  
     
     
         162 . The system of  claim 160  wherein the controlled device is implanted in the patient.  
     
     
         163 . The system of  claim 160  wherein the sensor and interface are connected by one or more physical cables that include one or more of the group consisting of: electrical wires and optical fibers.  
     
     
         164 . The system of  claim 160  wherein at least one of the sensor and the interface includes wireless transmission or receiving capability.  
     
     
         165 . The system of  claim 160  wherein the sensor includes a multi-electrode array.  
     
     
         166 . The system of  claim 160  wherein the sensor includes multiple wires or wire bundle electrodes.  
     
     
         167 . The system of  claim 160  wherein the electrodes are configured to detect one or more of the following types of multicellular signals: neuron spikes, electrocorticogram signals, local field potential signals and electroencephalogram signals.  
     
     
         168 . The system of  claim 160  wherein the electrodes are configured to detect multicellular signals from clusters of neurons and provide signals midway between single neuron and electroencephalogram recordings.  
     
     
         169 . The system of  claim 160  wherein at least one of the electrodes is configured to record a plurality of neurons.  
     
     
         170 . The system of  claim 160  wherein the interface includes an element configured to amplify the multicellular signals.  
     
     
         171 . The system of  claim 160  wherein the interface includes a processing unit external to the skull of the patient.  
     
     
         172 . The system of  claim 160  further comprising means for storing the calibration output parameters in memory.  
     
     
         173 . The system of  claim 160  further comprising a monitor for displaying signals received from the sensor.  
     
     
         174 . The system of  claim 160  further comprising a memory storage module for storing information collected during the calibration routine.  
     
     
         175 . The system of  claim 160  further comprising means for testing calibration performance.  
     
     
         176 . A neural signal processing unit comprising: 
 an input port for multiple neural signal input; and    a graphical user interface comprising: 
 a display monitor for displaying information from multiple individual neural signals; and  
 an input device for selecting graphical representations of neural signals and graphical representations of parameter values on the display monitor,  
   wherein multiple neural signals are selected with the input device and properties associated multiple individual neural signals are changed simultaneously.    
     
     
         177 . A method of calibrating a neural interface system, comprising: 
 providing a neural interface system comprising: 
 a sensor configured to detect multicellular signals emanating from the central nervous system of a patient, the sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes for chronic detection of the multicellular signals;  2 p 1  an interface configured to receive the multicellular signals from the sensor and process the multicellular signals to produce processed signals, the interface being further configured to transmit the processed signals to a controlled device; and  
 the controlled device configured to receive the processed signals; and  
   calibrating the neural interface system to generate one or more calibration output parameters for use by the neural interface system to generate the processed signals.    
     
     
         178 . The method of  claim 177  wherein calibrating comprises: 
 setting a preliminary set of calibration output parameters;    generating processed signals to control the controlled device;    measuring the performance of the controlled device control; and    modifying the calibration output parameters.    
     
     
         179 . The method of  claim 177  wherein the step of calibrating is performed with patient participation.  
     
     
         180 . The method of  claim 179  wherein the patient participation includes using one or more cues from the following group: audio cues, visual cues, olfactory cues, and tactile cues.  
     
     
         181 . The method of  claim 179  wherein the patient participation includes the patient imagining multiple movements.  
     
     
         182 . The method of  claim 181  further comprising comparing the multiple imagined movements to select the calibration output parameters.  
     
     
         183 . The method of  claim 177  further comprising using one or more calibration input parameters to determine the calibration output parameters.  
     
     
         184 . The method of  claim 177  further comprising categorizing one or more multicellular signals into three or more classifications for further processing into the processed signal for transmission to the controlled device.  
     
     
         186 . The method of  claim 177  further comprising storing the calibration output parameters in memory.  
     
     
         187 . The method of  claim 177  further comprising displaying signals received from the sensor on a display monitor.