Neural bridge devices and methods for restoring and modulating neural activity

Abstract

The neural bridge devices may be implanted between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. The operation of these devices may facilitate restoring conductivity of neural signals or responses within severed or damaged nerve cells. The neural bridge device may also facilitate restoring the movement of cell material between the endings of severed or damaged nerve cells. Some neural bridge devices may carry MEMS devices and may be employed for modifying various neural signals or responses, wherein the devices adjust neural responses in accordance with the desired signals received from other similar devices or communicated to them by other types of devices.

1 . A device for connecting endings of nerve cells and conducting: neural signals, comprising:
 a housing for conducting and modulating neural response said housing having a first end, a second end and a cavity, wherein said first end of said housing has a plurality of openings and said second end of said housing has a plurality of openings;   wherein said first end of said housing is connected to a primary end of a severed nerve and said second end of said housing is connected to a secondary end of a severed nerve, said housing is composed of electrostatic plastic material and at least one of said openings on said first end of said housing is connected to a hollow tubular extension having a cavity and at least one of said openings on the said second end of said housing is connected to a hollow tubular extension having a cavity, at least one of said openings on said first end of said housing is connected to an ion guiding channel;   at least one rotating mechanism positioned within said cavity in said first end of said housing, wherein said rotating mechanism rotates around the longitudinal axis of said housing;   protrusions from said rotating mechanism set at an angle to said ion guiding channels;   a generator mechanism positioned within the cavity of said housing and connected to said rotating mechanism, wherein said generator mechanism generates electric current upon rotation of said rotating mechanism; and   a plurality of current collecting conductors are connected to said generator mechanism.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said openings on said first end of said housing is connected to at least one of said openings on said second end of said housing creating a microfluid channel. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said openings on said first end of said housing have the same size and shape, and said openings on said second ends of said housing have the same size and shape. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the number of hollow tubular extensions on said first end of said housing is not equal to the number of extensions on said second end of said housing. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said protrusions have the same charge as ions in said ion guiding channels. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of conductors for collecting current from said generator mechanism are composed of polyacetylene. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one generator mechanism produces at least 7 mV-60 mV. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device conducts and modulates nerve signals from said first end to said second end and from said second end to said first end. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises:
 a central processing unit positioned inside said housing;   an electronic memory storage in communication with said central processing unit;   a sensor for measuring nerve signals in communication with said electronic memory storage and said central processing unit;   a modifier for modifying said device response to nerve signals in communication with said central processing unit; and   an electronic integrated circuit in communication with said central processing unit, said electronic memory storage, said sensor, and said modifier.   
   
   
       10 . A device of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is in communication with said rotating mechanism of said device. 
   
   
       11 . A device of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is in communication with said generator mechanism of said device. 
   
   
       12 . A device of  claim 1 , wherein said modifier is in communication with said rotating mechanism. 
   
   
       13 . A device of  claim 1 , wherein said modifier is in communication with said generator mechanism. 
   
   
       14 . A device for connecting endings of nerve cells and conducting neural signals, comprising:
 a housing for conducting and modulating neural response said housing having a first end, a second end and a cavity, wherein said first end of said housing has a plurality of openings and said second end of said housing has a plurality of openings;   wherein said first end of said housing is connected to a primary end of a severed nerve and said second end of said housing is connected to a secondary end of a severed nerve;   wherein said housing is composed of electrostatic plastic material;   wherein at least one of said openings on said first end of said housing is connected to a hollow tubular extension having a cavity and at least one of said openings on the said second end of said housing is connected to a hollow tubular extension having;   wherein at least one of said openings on said first end of said housing is connected to an ion guiding channel and at least one of said openings on said second end of said housing is connected to an ion guiding channel;   a first rotating mechanism positioned within said cavity in said first end of said housing, wherein said first rotating mechanism rotates around the longitudinal axis of said housing;   wherein said first rotating mechanism has protrusions set at an angle to said ion guiding channels;   a second rotating mechanism positioned within said cavity in said second end of said housing, wherein said second rotating mechanism rotates around the longitudinal axis of said housing;   wherein said second rotating mechanism has protrusions set at an angle to said ion guiding channels   a first generator mechanism positioned within the cavity of said housing and connected to said first rotating mechanism, wherein said generator mechanism generates electric current upon rotation of said first rotating mechanism;   a first partition having at least one opening is located on said first side of said housing, wherein said first partition is positioned after said first generator mechanism;   a second generator mechanism positioned within the cavity of said housing and connected to said second rotating mechanism, wherein said second generator mechanism generates electric current upon rotation of said second rotating mechanism;   a second partition having at least one opening is located on said second side of said housing, wherein said second partition is positioned after said first partition and is positioned before said second generator mechanism;   wherein at least one of said openings of said first partition is connected to a hollow tubular extension having a cavity and at least one of said openings of said second end of said housing is connected to a hollow tubular extension; and   a plurality of conductors for collecting current is connected to said first generator mechanism and a plurality of conductors for collecting current is connected to said second generator mechanism.   
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said openings on said first end of said housing have the same size and shape, and said openings on said second end of said housing have the same size and shape. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said openings of said first partition have the same size and shape, and said openings of said second partition have the same size and shape. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the number of hollow tubular extensions on at least one of said first end of said housing and said second end of said housing is not equal to the number of extensions of at least one of said first partition and said second partition. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said hollow tubular extension on said first end of said housing is connected to said extensions of said first partition creating a microfluid channel. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said hollow tubular extension on said second end of said housing is connected to said extension of said second partition creating a microfluid channel. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said extensions of said first partition is connected to at least one of said extensions of said second partition by a microtube. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said microtube is composed of plastic material. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said protrusions have the same charge as ions in said ion guiding channels. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of conductors for collecting current from said generator mechanism is composed of polyacetylene. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one generator mechanism produces at least 7 mV-60 mV. 
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said device conducts and modulates nerve signals from said first end to said second end and from said second end to said first end. 
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said device further comprises:
 a central processing unit positioned inside said housing;   an electronic memory storage in communication with said central processing unit;   a sensor for measuring nerve signals in communication with said electronic memory storage and said central processing unit;   a modifier for modifying said device response to nerve signals in communication with said central processing unit; and   an electronic integrated circuit in communication with said central processing unit, said electronic memory storage, said sensor, and said modifier.   
   
   
       27 . A device of  claim 14 , wherein said sensor is in communication with said rotating mechanism of said device. 
   
   
       28 . A device of  claim 14 , wherein said sensor is in communication with said generator mechanism of said device. 
   
   
       29 . A device of  claim 14 , wherein said modifier is in communication with said rotating mechanism. 
   
   
       30 . A device of  claim 14 , wherein said modifier is in communication with said generator mechanism.