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;   at least one generator mechanism positioned within said cavity of said housing, wherein said generator mechanism generates electric current;   a plurality of conductors for collecting current from said generator mechanism, wherein said plurality of conductors attach to a nerve ending:   at least one central processing unit positioned inside said housing;   at least one electronic memory storage in communication with said central processing unit;   at least one sensor for measuring nerve signals in communication with said electronic memory storage and said central processing unit;   at least one modifier for modifying said device response to nerve signals in communication with said central processing unit; and   at least one electronic integrated circuit in communication with said central processing unit, said electronic memory storage, said sensor, and said modifier, wherein said modifier is in communication with said generator mechanism.   
   
   
       2 . 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 contains a first device and said second end contains a second device,
 said first device consisting of a 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; at least one rotating mechanism positioned within said cavity of said housing; at least one generator mechanism positioned within said cavity of said housing and connected to said at least one rotating mechanism; and a plurality of conductors attached to a nerve ending for collecting current from said generator mechanism, 
 said second device consisting of a 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; at least one rotating mechanism positioned within said cavity of said housing; at least one generator mechanism positioned within said cavity of said housing and connected to said at least one rotating mechanism; and a plurality of conductors attached to a nerve ending for collecting current from said generator mechanism. 
   
   
   
       3 . The device as in  claim 2 , wherein said first device is placed with the side having ion-guiding channels toward the first nerve ending and
 said second device is placed with the side having ion-guiding channels toward the second nerve ending.   
   
   
       4 . The device as in  claim 2 , wherein at least one said extension on said second end of said first device is connected to at least one said extension on said second end of said second device by a hollow microtube having a cavity. 
   
   
       5 . The device as in  claim 2 , wherein said microtube is composed of plastic material. 
   
   
       6 . The device as in  claim 2 , wherein said device further comprises:
 at least one central processing unit positioned inside said housing;   at least one electronic memory storage in communication with said central processing unit;   at least one sensor for measuring nerve signals in communication with said electronic memory storage and said central processing unit;   at least one modifier for modifying said device response to nerve signals in communication with said central processing unit; and   at least one electronic integrated circuit in communication with said central processing unit, said electronic memory storage, said sensor, and said modifier.   
   
   
       7 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein said sensor is in communication with said rotating mechanism of said device. 
   
   
       8 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein said sensor is in communication with said generator mechanism of said device. 
   
   
       9 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein said modifier is in communication with said rotating mechanism. 
   
   
       10 . A device as in  claim 6 , wherein said modifier is in communication with said generator mechanism. 
   
   
       11 . 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 with a first device contained therein, a second end having a second device contained therein and a cavity,
 wherein said first device is comprised of a housing having a first end with a plurality of openings, a second end with a plurality of openings and a cavity; at least one rotating mechanism positioned within said cavity of said housing, wherein said at least one rotating mechanism rotates around the longitudinal axis of said housing; at least one generator mechanism positioned within said cavity of said housing and connected to said at least one rotating mechanism; and a plurality of conductors for collecting current from said generator mechanism, wherein said plurality of conductors attach to a nerve ending, and 
 wherein said second device is a housing having a first end with a plurality of openings, a second end with a plurality of openings and a cavity; at least one rotating mechanism positioned within said cavity of said housing, wherein said at least one rotating mechanism rotates around the longitudinal axis of said housing; at least one generator mechanism positioned within said cavity of said housing and connected to said at least one rotating mechanism; and a plurality of conductors for collecting current from said generator mechanism, wherein said plurality of conductors attach to a nerve ending. 
   
   
   
       12 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein said first device in the first end of said housing is placed with the side having ion-guiding channels toward the first nerve ending and
 said second device in the second end of said housing is placed with the side having ion-guiding channels toward the second nerve ending.   
   
   
       13 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein at least one said extension on said second end of said first device is connected to at least one said extension on said second end of said second device by a hollow microtube having a cavity. 
   
   
       14 . The device as in  claim 13 , wherein said microtube is composed of plastic material. 
   
   
       15 . The device as in  claim 11 , wherein said device further comprising:
 at least one central processing unit positioned inside said housing;   at least one electronic memory storage in communication with said central processing unit;   at least one sensor for measuring nerve signals in communication with said electronic memory storage and said central processing unit;   at least one modifier for modifying said device response to nerve signals in communication with said central processing unit; and   at least one electronic integrated circuit in communication with said central processing unit, said electronic memory storage, said sensor, and said modifier.   
   
   
       16 . A device as in  claim 11 , wherein said sensor is in communication with said rotating mechanism of said device. 
   
   
       17 . A device as in  claim 11 , wherein said sensor is in communication with said generator mechanism of said device. 
   
   
       18 . A device as in  claim 15 , wherein said modifier is in communication with said rotating mechanism. 
   
   
       19 . A device as in  claim 15 , wherein said modifier is in communication with said generator mechanism.