A Device for Interfacing with Biological Tissue Through the Nasal Cavity

NU 2023-155  

INVENTORS

• Gregory Lane
• Christina Zelano*
• Mahmoud Omidbeigi
• Andrew Sheriff
• Bruce Kuang-Huay Tan*

SHORT DESCRIPTION

A versatile multi-contact electrode device capable of measuring, recording, stimulating, and modulating electrophysiological signals within or in proximity to the nasal cavity, such as the olfactory bulb. The device is available in both wired and wireless configurations.

BACKGROUND

Olfactory dysfunction is a common clinical symptom that presents at early stages across a number of neurological, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric conditions. There remains a critical gap in understanding the link between smell loss and neurological disease, mainly due to the deep anatomical locations of olfactory structures, which are difficult to access and record from. Furthermore, there is a lack of an objective measure of olfactory function in humans, as existing methods utilize self-reported surveys from patients or methods that generate high signal-to-noise ratios. A tool capable of precisely measuring oscillatory dynamics of neural activity at a single trial level provides novel insights into olfactory dysfunction in clinical populations.

ABSTRACT

The disclosed technology comprises an apparatus featuring a multi-contact electrode made of metal alloys capable of measuring electrophysiological signals or providing stimulating signals to the nasal cavity of a subject. The electrode is disposed on the outer surface of a flexible outer tube containing a delivery lumen. A removable placement rod, combined with sponge-based stabilizers and placement markers, ensures accurate positioning within diverse nasal regions, from the turbinates to the olfactory cleft. The tool supports both wired and wireless configurations, enhancing its adaptability for research and clinical diagnostics—thereby enabling high-fidelity measurement, recording, and modulation of brain and respiratory signals.

APPLICATIONS

• Measurement of neural and respiratory activity within the nasal cavity, including signals from the olfactory and respiratory epithelium, the trigeminal and olfactory nerves, and from the olfactory bulb, olfactory tract, and ventral brain.
  • Supports the clinical assessments of nasal, olfactory, and neurological pathologies.
  • Enhances research into brain and respiratory function.
• Modulation of neural and respiratory activity to facilitate therapeutic interventions.

  ADVANTAGES

• Integrates measurement, recording, and modulation in one device
• Accurate, single trial level data of neural signals
• Supports both wired and wireless configurations
• Sponge-based stabilizers and markers ensure precise placement in outpatient settings

IP STATUS

• PCT Patent Application Filed