KR101232278B1 - Neural Tube for recovering function of injured nerve and Neuron Signal Detecting Device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, as a nerve conduit for restoring the function of the damaged nerve, a support connected to the end of the damaged nerve, a cavity-shaped channel formed into the body of the support and the inner wall of the channel And an external electrode electrically connected to the electrode layer, wherein the nerve cells grow along the channel at the distal end of the cut nerve, and the nerve cells grown along the channel are electrically connected to the electrode layer. Neural conduits are provided. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting neural signals using neural conduits.

Description

Neural tube for recovering function of injured nerve and neuron signal detecting device using the same

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to neural conduits and neural signal detection devices, and more particularly to neural conduits and neural signal detection devices using the same to effectively repair damaged nerves.

When nerves are cut or damaged, the stimuli generated in and outside the living body are not properly transmitted, and the organisms are greatly affected. Thus, efforts have been made at various angles to restore the function of damaged nerves.

In order to restore the function of the damaged nerves, studies have been made to insert the support between the broken nerves to physically fix the broken nerves, and to regenerate the nerves inside the support to resume the cut nerve strands.

However, since the length of nerve regeneration is limited, it is very difficult to regenerate nerves so that the nerve strands can come into contact with each other when a certain length is lost while the nerve is broken.

In addition, it is very difficult to restore the original nerve function normally even if diarrhea nerves are regenerated and connected to each other. For example, a nerve strand that extends from the brain to the arm may be misconnected with the nerve strand leading to the leg. In this case, there is a problem that crosstalk occurs in the nervous system of the living body, which may adversely affect the living body.

Accordingly, efforts have been made to supplement nerve functions by attaching electrodes to disconnected nerves, collecting electrical signals of nerves through the electrodes, and focusing on the function of nerves that transmit and receive signals.

As such an electrode, a plate-shaped electrode disposed perpendicularly to the direction in which the nerve is extended is used, so that nerve cells positioned at the distal end of the nerve contact the electrode, thereby collecting / transmitting electrical signals transmitted from the nerve through the electrode. It is common to do

However, according to this conventional technology, there is a problem that the area where the electrode and the nerve contact each other is very small, and the nerve is not firmly fixed to the electrode, so that the electrode may not function properly in vivo.

In addition, there is a problem that can only send and receive nerve signals in the cross section of the nerve, there is a limit to the collection / delivery of various nerve signals.

The present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a neural conduit capable of performing a role of a support and a nerve electrode for nerve regeneration and a neural signal detection device having the same.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, as a nerve conduit for restoring the function of the damaged nerve, the support is connected to the end of the damaged nerve, and the cavity form formed inside the body of the support A channel, an electrode layer formed along the inner wall of the channel, and an external electrode electrically connected to the electrode layer, wherein nerve cells grow along the channel at the ends of the damaged nerve, and the nerve cells grow along the channel A neural conduit is provided that is in electrical communication with the electrode layer.

A plurality of channels may be formed on the support.

In addition, the electrode layer may be formed by a plurality of nanofibers extending in the center direction of the channel and electrically connected to each other.

In addition, an electrically conductive material may be filled in the channel, and the electrically conductive material may be a hydrogel.

In addition, a guide shim extending in the longitudinal direction of the channel may be inserted into the channel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a nerve signal detection device for restoring the function of a damaged nerve, comprising a nerve conduit connected to the terminal of the damaged nerve, and a signal transmitting and receiving device electrically connected to the nerve conduit, The signal transceiving device is provided with a neural signal detecting apparatus for transmitting a neural signal of the nerve cell detected by an external electrode of the neural conduit to the outside, and receiving and transmitting an electric signal transmitted from the outside to the nerve cell.

The nerve conduit may comprise a first nerve conduit connected to an upstream nerve end of the damaged nerve and a second nerve conduit connected to a downstream nerve end of the damaged nerve.

In addition, the support of the first nerve conduit and the second nerve conduit may be integrally formed with each other.

The signal transceiving device may include a first signal transceiving device electrically connected to the first neural conduit, and a second signal transceiving device electrically connected to the second neural conduit. The second signal transceiving device and the second signal transceiving device may be capable of transmitting a signal to each other, and the first signal transceiving device and the second signal transceiving device may be capable of wirelessly transmitting signals to each other.

The neural conduit according to the present invention may not only serve as a support for regenerating damaged nerves, but also serve as a neural electrode for detecting neural signals. In addition, the nerve cells are firmly supported in the channel, and the contact area between the electrodes and the nerve cells is large, thereby forming an optimal condition for transmitting nerve signals.

According to the neural signal detecting apparatus according to the present invention, neural signals can be appropriately transmitted and received without regenerating the nerves and directly contacting the nerve strands. Thus, errors in the nervous system can be minimized and are not affected by the limitations of nerve regeneration length.

1 is a perspective view of a neural conduit according to one embodiment of the invention.
2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a neural conduit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the neural conduit of FIG. 2.
4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a nerve conduit in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the neural conduit of FIG. 4.
6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a neural conduit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the neural conduit of FIG. 6.
8 is a conceptual diagram of a neural signal detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is described as one embodiment, whereby the technical spirit of the present invention and its core configuration and operation are not limited.

Nerve conduit

(First embodiment)

1 is a perspective view of a neural conduit 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the neural conduit 100 according to the present embodiment includes a cylindrical support 110 and a plurality of channels 120 having a cavity shape formed into a body of the support 110. Include. As will be described later, an electrode layer 121 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is formed in each channel 120 along its inner wall.

The support 110 has a cylindrical body and is connected to the distal end of the damaged nerve (see FIG. 7). According to this embodiment, the support 110 is made of a polyurethane (poly-Urethane) material, it is formed by a plurality of fibers. It is to be understood that the material of the support 110 is not limited to the above-described material, and may be formed as a predetermined strength with a predetermined strength, and may be adopted as the support 110 according to the present embodiment as long as it is a bio-friendly material. .

A plurality of channels 120 are formed in the body of the support 110 in the longitudinal direction of the support 110. For convenience of description, the channel 120 is shown in dashed lines.

An external electrode 130 is formed at an inlet portion (ie, an upper surface portion of the support 110) of each of the plurality of channels 120. As described below, the external electrode 130 is electrically connected to the electrode layer 121, and is also electrically connected to the connection electrode 140 formed on the upper surface of the support 110.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the connection electrode 140 may include a ring-shaped first connection part 141 formed along the upper circumference of the support 110, and a second connection part electrically connected to the first connection part 141. 142).

As shown in FIG. 1, the first connector 141 is electrically connected to the external electrodes 130 connected to the respective channels 120, and the second connector 142 is connected to the signal transceiver (see FIG. 8). Can be electrically connected.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the neural conduit 100 according to the present embodiment. In Figure 2, the nerve conduit 100 is shown cut in half in its longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, an electrode layer 121 is formed on an inner wall of the channel 120. According to the present embodiment, the electrode layer 121 is formed of a plurality of nanofibers extending in the center direction of the channel 120.

For convenience of illustration, it should be understood that the diameter of the nanofibers and the distance between the nanofibers are exaggerated in FIG. 2. Nanofibers may be formed finer and more compact depending on the manufacturing process conditions.

In this embodiment, GZnO doped with gallium (Ga) to zinc oxide (ZnO) capable of controlling electrical properties is used as nanofibers. GZnO is a ceramic material and has excellent conductivity, and when used as an electrode, unlike general metal, GZnO has an advantage of excellent biocompatibility due to minimized human toxicity.

In order to distribute the nanofibers evenly on the inner wall of the channel 120 and to use the distributed nanofiber layer as the electrode layer 121, a so-called sol-gel process is used in this embodiment. The sol-gel process allows nanofibers to grow evenly on the inner surface of the cavity 120 and forms an electrical network between the nanofibers so that the inside of the channel 120 can be challenged by the nanofibers. have.

Since the sol-gel process is a method known to those skilled in the art, more detailed description is omitted here.

An external electrode 130 is formed at an inlet of each channel 120 to be electrically connected to the electrode layer 121. The external electrode 130 has a first electrode portion 131 formed in an annular shape along the periphery of the inlet of the channel 120 and the second electrode portion 132 extending to be electrically connected to the first electrode portion 131. ).

The first electrode part 131 is electrically connected to the electrode layer 121 by being connected to a part of the electrode layer 121 exposed to the upper surface of the support 110, and the second electrode part 132 is connected to the connection electrode 140. It is electrically connected to the first connector 141 (see FIG. 1).

In this embodiment, the configuration of the external electrode 130 electrically connected to the electrode layer 121 formed on the inner surface of each channel 120 is the same.

Hereinafter, the channel 120 and related configurations will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the neural conduit 100 of FIG. 2. 3 illustrates a configuration of one channel 120, and the configuration of another channel is the same.

As shown in FIG. 3, the nerve cell 10 grows from the end of the cut cell inside the channel 120. Although only one strand of nerve cell 10 is shown in FIG. 3, it will be understood that multiple strands of nerve cells may be grown into channel 120. Methods for growing (regenerating) nerve cells are already known, and since such methods do not fall within the scope of the present invention, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

When the nerve cell 10 grows into the channel 120, it grows along the inner wall of the channel 120 using nanofibers as a support. By allowing the nerve cell 10 to use the nanofibers as a support, the nerve cell 10 is firmly fixed inside the channel 120.

As described above, since the nanofibers form the electrode layer 121 on the inner wall of the channel 120, the nerve cells 10 are naturally electrically connected to the electrode layer 121.

Therefore, the nerve signal transmitted from the nerve cell 10 to the electrode layer 121 may be sensed by the external electrode 130 and transmitted to the outside through the connection electrode 140, and also transmitted through the connection electrode 140. The external electrical signal may be transmitted to the nerve cell 10 through the external electrode 130 and the electrode layer 121.

According to the present embodiment, although the plurality of channels 120 are formed at the same time in the support 110, it will be understood that only one channel 120 may be formed in the support 110. However, since the nerve is composed of a plurality of nerve cell bundles, and each nerve cell bundle is often connected to different organs, a plurality of channels 120 are formed on the support 110, and each channel 120 is formed. By selectively growing bundles of nerve cells inside, the process of sorting and delivering nerve signals can be much easier.

The support 110 in which the plurality of channels 120 are formed may be formed by penetrating the plurality of channels 120 in one cylindrical support 110 through a micro-etching process. It can also be formed by the method of tying the nerve conduits of the dog.

(Second Embodiment)

4 is a perspective view of a neural conduit 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of description, the nerve conduit 200 is shown in cross-section cut in half in its longitudinal direction.

Referring to FIG. 4, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the neural conduit 200 includes a cylindrical support 210, a plurality of channels 220 having a cavity shape formed into a body of the support 210, and each channel 220. An electrode layer 221 is formed along the inner wall and an external electrode 230 electrically connected to the electrode layer 221.

The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that an electrically conductive material 223 is filled in each channel 220. The other structure of this embodiment is the same as that of the structure of the said 1st embodiment, and its function is the same, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the neural conduit 200 of FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, an electrically conductive material 223 is filled in the channel 220. According to the present embodiment, the electrically conductive material 223 to be filled is a hydrogel having excellent biocompatibility and having electrical conductivity. Such hydrogels are known to be suitable materials for cell growth.

The hydrogel having electrical conductivity is electrically connected to the electrode layer 221 by contacting the electrode layer 221 formed on the inner wall of the channel 220.

As shown in FIG. 5, nerve cells 10 grow from the cut cells inside the channel 220. Since the hydrogel is filled inside the channel 220, the nerve cell 10 does not grow along the inner wall of the channel 220, unlike the first embodiment, and is supported by the hydrogel to support the channel 220. Grow along the center.

The electrode layer 221 formed on the inner wall of the channel 220 by the nanofibers is electrically connected to the nerve cell 10 through a hydrogel.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment as described above, the nerve signal transmitted from the nerve cell 10 is transmitted to the electrode layer 221 through the hydrogel is sensed by the external electrode 230, and also through the connection electrode 240 The transmitted external electrical signal may be transmitted to the nerve cell 10 through the external electrode 230 and the electrode layer 221.

According to this embodiment, since the nerve cells 10 grown inside the channel 220 are wrapped by a hydrogel having electrical conductivity, the channel 220 of the nerve cells 10 and the neural conduit 200 has a larger area. Is electrically energized through, and the nerve cell 10 may be firmly fixed inside the channel 220.

In addition, the hydrogel provides a good condition for the nerve cell 10 to grow, so that the nerve cell 10 can grow (regenerate) inside the channel 220 more easily.

On the other hand, according to this embodiment, since the nerve cell 10 is supported in the channel 220 by the hydrogel, the channel 220 is coated along the inner wall of the channel 220 instead of the electrode layer 221 by the nanofibers. It will be appreciated that the electrode layer may be formed by a plate-shaped metal electrode.

(Third Embodiment)

6 is a perspective view of neural conduit 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of description, the nerve conduit 300 is shown in cross-section cut in half in its longitudinal direction.

Referring to FIG. 6, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the neural conduit 300 includes a cylindrical support 310, a plurality of channels 320 having a cavity shape formed inside the body of the support 310, and each channel 320. An electrode layer 321 is formed along the inner wall, an external electrode 330 electrically connected to the electrode layer 321, and an electrically conductive material 323 filled in the channel 320.

The difference between the present embodiment and the second embodiment is that the guide shim 324 is inserted in each channel 320 in the longitudinal direction of the channel 320. The other structure of this embodiment is the same as that of the structure of the said 1st embodiment, and its function is the same, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted here.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the neural conduit 300 of FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, the hydrogel is filled with the electrically conductive material 323 in the channel 320, and the guide shim 324 is inserted into the filled hydrogel. In this embodiment, the guide shim 324 is made of polyurethane. In addition, a plurality of guide shims may be formed in one channel 320.

As shown in FIG. 7, nerve cells 10 of cells grow inside the channel 320. Since the guide shim 324 is inserted into the center of the channel 320 in the longitudinal direction of the channel 320, the nerve cell 10 grows using the guide shim 324 as a support, unlike the second embodiment. . Therefore, the nerve cell 10 grows in a certain direction in the channel 320.

Since the nerve has a configuration that is connected with a certain direction, according to the present embodiment there is an advantage that the nerve cell 10 in the channel 320 can grow in a direction close to the direction of the actual nerve formation.

Nerve signal detection device

8 is a conceptual diagram of a neural signal detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 shows a state in which the nerve is cut off and partly lost so that the upstream nerve 410 and the downstream nerve 420 are separated by a very long distance. As such, when the disconnected nerves are far apart from each other, it is very difficult to regenerate the nerves and connect them to each other.

Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, there is provided a neural signal detection apparatus capable of transferring neural signals by-pass using the above-described neural conduits without directly connecting neural.

Specifically, the nerve conduit 100 (the first nerve conduit) is connected to an end of the broken upstream nerve 410. When connected, the support 110 is connected to the end of the nerve. In this apparatus, the neural conduit according to the first embodiment was used. The nerve conduit 100 is regenerated and the upstream nerve 410 is regenerated so that the nerve cell 10 grows into each channel 120 of the neural conduit 100.

The second connection part 142 of the connection electrode 140 connected to the external electrode 130 formed in each channel 120 is connected to the first signal transceiving device 510.

On the other hand, another nerve conduit 100 '(second nerve conduit) is also connected to an end of the broken downstream nerve 420. The neural conduit according to the first embodiment was also used here. The downstream nerve 420 is regenerated while the second nerve conduit 100 'is connected to allow nerve cells 10' to grow into each channel 120 'of the second nerve conduit 100'.

The second connection portion 142 ′ of the connection electrode 140 ′ connected to the external electrode formed in each channel 120 ′ is connected to the second signal transceiving device 520.

The first signal transceiving device 510 and the second signal transceiving device 520 may be connected by wire or wirelessly and may transmit signals to each other.

When a signal sent from the brain is transmitted to the channel of the first neural conduit 100 through the upstream nerve 410, the signal is transmitted to the first signal transceiving device 510 through the external electrode 130 of the first neural conduit. Delivered.

The first signal transceiving device 510 transmits the received neural signal to the second signal transceiving device 520, and the second signal transceiving device 520 transmits the signal to the second neural conduit 100 ′ downstream. To the lateral nerve 420.

It is known that neural signals transmitted through a single strand of nerve can be classified by function (for example, signals to be transmitted to the legs and signals to be transmitted by the hand). Neural signals transmitted from the upstream nerve 410 are classified by function by the external electrode 130. The neural signals classified by functions are transmitted to the second signal transmitting and receiving device 520 by the first signal transmitting and receiving device 510, and the second signal transmitting and receiving device 520 properly classifies them again to form the nerve cell 10 ′. To pass.

Conversely, nerve signals transmitted from the downstream nerve 420 may be transmitted to the upstream nerve 410 via a path opposite to the above-described path.

According to the structure of such a device, even when the broken nerve bundles are separated by a relatively long distance, there is no burden of directly connecting the broken nerves.

In addition, the neural signals transmitted from the upstream nerves can be classified by function, and the classified signals can be properly classified and transmitted according to the neurons of the downstream nerves. You can prevent it.

According to the present embodiment, the first neural conduit 100 and the second neural conduit 100 'are separately formed, but are not necessarily limited thereto. If the upstream nerves 410 and the downstream nerves 420 that are broken from each other are arranged at relatively close distances, the nerves that are broken by integrally forming the supports of the first nerve conduit 100 and the second nerve conduit 100 'are integral with each other. The bundle can be fixed in one strand.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the neural signal may be wirelessly communicated by the first signal transmitting and receiving device 510 and the second signal transmitting and receiving device 520, the first neural conduit 100 may be connected to the upstream nerve 410. Although connected, the second nerve conduit 100 ′ may be directly connected to nerves of end-target organs, such as hands and feet, without directly connecting downstream nerves 420. In other words, the plurality of second neural conduits 100 ′ and the plurality of second signal transceiving devices 520 connected thereto may be disposed at respective points in the living body. Such a configuration may be appropriately used, for example, if the downstream nerve 420 is severely damaged.

10: nerve cell
100, 200, 300: nerve conduit
110, 210, 310: support
120, 220, 320: channel
121, 221, 321: electrode layer
130, 230, 330: external electrode
223, 323: electrically conductive material
324: guide shim
410, 420: nerve
510, 520: signal transceiver

Claims (11)

As a nerve conduit to restore the function of a damaged nerve,
A support connected to the distal end of the damaged nerve;
A cavity-shaped channel formed into the body of the support;
An electrode layer formed along an inner wall of the channel; And
An external electrode electrically connected to the electrode layer;
A nerve conduit, wherein nerve cells grow along the channel at the distal end of the damaged nerve, and nerve cells grown along the channel are electrically connected to the electrode layer. The method of claim 1,
Neural conduit characterized in that the support is formed with a plurality of channels. The method of claim 1,
And the electrode layer is formed by a plurality of nanofibers extending in a central direction of the channel and electrically connected to each other. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the channel is filled with an electrically conductive material. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein said electrically conductive material is a hydrogel. 5. The method of claim 4,
And the guide seam extending into the channel in the longitudinal direction of the channel. Neural signal detection device for restoring the function of the damaged nerve,
Neural conduit of any one of claims 1 to 6 connected to the terminal of the damaged nerve; And
A signal transmitting and receiving device electrically connected with the neural conduit,
The signal transmitting and receiving device
Transmitting neural signals of the nerve cells detected at an external electrode of the nerve conduit to the outside,
A nerve signal detection apparatus, characterized in that for receiving an electric signal transmitted from the outside and delivers to the nerve cell. The method of claim 7, wherein
The nerve conduit,
A first neural conduit connected to the distal end of the upstream nerve of the damaged nerve,
And a second neural conduit connected to the distal end of the nerve downstream of the damaged nerve. 9. The method of claim 8,
The neural signal detection device, characterized in that the support of the first nerve conduit and the second nerve conduit is formed integrally with each other. 9. The method of claim 8,
The signal transmission and reception device,
A first signal transceiving device electrically connected to the first neural conduit;
A second signal transmitting and receiving device electrically connected with the second neural conduit,
The first signal transmitting and receiving device is a neural signal detection device, characterized in that the signal transmission with the second signal transmitting and receiving device. The method of claim 10,
The first signal transceiving device and the second signal transceiving device are nerve signal detection apparatus, characterized in that the wireless signal transmission to each other.

Images