Smart dust - Micro sensor implanted in the brain, real-time monitoring

Smart dust, which sounds a little fanciful, but the University of California Berkeley is developing something like what they call neural dust - nerve dust, which can be implanted into the human body to monitor nerves, muscles or agency in real time.

These are sensors the size of a large grain of sand containing a piezoelectric material that converts ultrasonic vibrations from outside the body into electricity to operate a micro-transistor - the component. contact with nerves or muscle fibers. A surge in voltage in muscle fibers or nerve fibers will alter the circuit and cause piezoelectric crystal vibrations, thereby altering the echoing sound detected by an ultrasound receiver - often integrated on the same device creates vibrations. This small change is called backscattering , which allows the device to determine the voltage.

The main goal of this "nerve dust" is to set the stage for the communication between the machine and the next generation brain.

This study can pave the way for communication between the machine and the brain to control prostheses, remote robots as well as create momentum for the development of nerve electronic devices for health care. According to Ryan Neely, a graduate student in the neuroscience department of the research group, "The main goal of this" nerve dust "is to set the stage for the communication between the next generation and brain machines, while also turning If a paralyzed patient wants to control a computer or robotic arm, the doctor only needs to implant these electrodes into the brain and it will last a lifetime. ".

Talking about implant electrodes , most of them are broken within 1 to 2 years. All are connected by wires and these wires pass through the head through holes drilled in the skull. Meanwhile wireless sensors can be sealed, prevent infection and avoid the impact of electrodes.

However, the potential application of smart dust does not stop at the development of nerve electronic devices serving in medicine. According to a Gartner study, smart dust could become a trend in the next 5 to 10 years. This is an area being developed in large US laboratories since the late 1990s with funding from the Advanced Research and Defense Projects Agency (DARPA) to create applications. for the military.

In early 2003, researchers developed applications for smart dust and they were classed as " Wireless Microelectronic Sensors (MEMS) that can detect everything from light to vibration. dynamic ". They can be used as traffic sensors in areas that often turn off roads or monitor power consumption on household appliances to determine if they are operating at maximum efficiency. However, scientists today have turned the application of dust into implantable wearable devices .

According to neurologist Jose Carmena: "These sensors are now small enough to be used in the peripheral nervous system, for example, to help patients control urination needs, curb cravings. This technology is still not ready until it reaches 50 microns - small enough to be implanted into the brain and central nervous system. Once proven clinically, smart dust will replace wired electrodes ".

Carmena's team is currently trying to shrink the device, search for bio-adaptive materials and improve the transceiver surface so that it can send and receive ultrasound signals, ideally using designated technology. Signal direction in beams to focus sound waves on each particle. In the short term, they have built "backpacks" for mice, inside an integrated transceiver backpack to record data from implanted dust particles.

Smart dust can become a trend in the next 5 to 10 years.(Artwork).

Another potential application of smart dust is that it can detect chemical concentrations , such as oxygen or hormone levels. Dongjin Seo, a graduate student in computer science and electrical engineering at the University of California Berkeley, said: "Our vision is to be able to implant smart dust everywhere on the body and create a device. Connect at the implant area to be able to send ultrasound waves to wake up as well as get the information you need from the sensors according to the treatment you want, after all, you can use many implant sensors. pair and a connected device to activate each sensation or all at once ".

The biggest barrier to smart dust to be widely used is its practicality , which is required for transplantation. Can we swallow or inhale dust in the future? This is a very interesting idea because when dust particles become smaller, it can creep into the nervous system and brain, which in turn can provide opportunities for people with disabilities or special diseases. .