The present application relates to an apparatus for realizing a neural network, and more particularly, to an apparatus for realizing a three-dimensional (3D) neural network, capable of providing parallel operation efficiency comparable to that of a network of neurons of a living creature.
Certain ways of thinking and behaviors of humans that at first may look simple and be regarded as natural are carried out in an instant by the pure parallel signal processing of a network of neurons in which nerve impulses pass across synapses between several hundred billions of neurons.
Since signal processing in a computer is enabled by the serial processing of a number of signals between signal-processing elements, there are a number of obstacles in realizing complicated modes of thought or behaviors through the signal processing of a computer.
Even an artificial neural network (or just a “neural network”) resembling the parallel signal processing of brains, is configured in such a manner that unit elements are connected in series. This is different from the pure parallel signal processing of the human network of neurons, and its information processing rate and functions are somewhat limited.
For this reason, many countries, including the USA and members of the EU, are actively carrying out research on a Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) to use a network of neurons of a living creature as an operating part of a computer. In a BMI, a network of neurons is constructed by culturing neurons, and a signal pathway between a neural network and a machine is established via a microelectrode array.
However, since a neural network is constructed by culturing neurons on a planar two-dimensional (2D) culture substrate as shown in
Thus, it is practically impossible that neural networks each having a planar 2D structure, as shown in
An aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for realizing a three-dimensional (3D) neural network having a 3D structure resembling that of a network of neurons of a living creature such that the 3D neural network can provide parallel operation efficiency comparable to that of the network of neurons of the living creature.
According to an aspect of the invention, the apparatus for realizing a 3D neural network may include a culture substrate having a three-dimensional structure; and a plurality of microelectrodes disposed on the culture substrate so that nerve cells are cultured into a three-dimensional structure.
The culture substrate may have a central portion shaped in a hemispherical or spherical form.
The culture substrate may be formed as one substrate having a central portion that is shaped in a spherical form, or as two substrates combined in a face-to-face manner, wherein each of the substrates has a central portion that is shaped in a hemispherical form.
The microelectrodes may be distributed on the central portion of the culture substrate. The microelectrodes may be uniformly distributed on entire regions of the central portion of the culture substrate or differently distributed according to regions of the central portion of the culture substrate.
The apparatus may further include a plurality of outside connection electrodes disposed on two-dimensional peripheral portion of the culture substrate so as to be connected with an external electrode; and a plurality of electrode-connecting lines connecting the microelectrodes to the outside connection electrodes, respectively.
The external device may come into contact with the outside connection electrodes and apply a stimulus to or detect a signal from the neurons through the outside connection electrodes, the electrode-connecting lines and the microelectrodes.
As set forth above, in the apparatus for realizing a 3D neural network, the microelectrodes are distributed on the culture substrate having a 3D structure, and neurons are allowed to be cultured on the microelectrodes. As a result, the neurons can have a culture structure that resembles that of a network of neurons of a living creature and thereby afford parallel operation efficiency comparable to that of the network of neurons of a living creature.
The present application will now be described more fully hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments thereof are shown, so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following description of the present application, a detailed description of known functions and components incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present application rather unclear.
Reference should be made to the drawings, from which any parts that are not essential to the present application are omitted for the sake of clarity, and in which the same reference numerals and signs are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.
Unless explicitly described to the contrary, the term comprise and variations such as comprises and comprising will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.
Referring to
As such, the apparatus for realizing a 3D neural network is constructed with the culture substrate 21 having the hemispherical central portion and a plurality of the microelectrodes 22 distributed on the central portion of the culture substrate so as to resemble the configuration of a network of neurons of a living creature.
Since the microelectrodes 22 are disposed on the 3D surface of the culture substrate 21 with a 3D structure, neurons cultured on the microelectrodes 22 also have a 3D structure.
As a result, an external device for stimulating and recording a network of neurons can apply an electric stimulus to or detect an electric signal from the neurons that have a 3D structure, in a fashion similar to that of a network of neurons of a living creature. Accordingly, the neurons can acquire parallel operation efficiency comparable to that of the network of neurons of a living creature.
In this case, the external device brought into contact with the outside connection electrodes 23 stimulates the network of neurons by applying a stimulus to the neurons through the outside connection electrodes 23, the electrode-connecting lines 24 and the microelectrodes 22, or makes a record by detecting a signal from the neurons through the outside the microelectrodes 22, the electrode-connecting lines 24 and the connection electrodes 23.
In addition, although the electrode-connecting lines 24 and the microelectrodes 22 are disposed on the outer surface of the hemispherical portion of the culture substrate 21, it is apparent that they can be disposed on the inner surface of the hemispherical portion of the culture substrate 21.
Referring to
The culture substrate 31 can be implemented with one substrate, or by combining two culture substrates 31-1 and 31-2 in a face-to-face manner, wherein each of the culture substrates 31-1 and 31-2 has a hemispherical central portion like the substrate shown in
As such, for the apparatus for realizing a 3D neural network shown in
Accordingly, the apparatus for realizing a 3D neural network shown in
While the embodiments have been described above with respect to a case where the central portion of the culture substrate is configured to be spherical or hemispherical, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made to the structure of the culture substrate according to applications and uses of the network of neurons as long as the culture substrate maintains a 3D structure.
In addition, the distribution of the microelectrodes can be modified in various forms. For example, the microelectrodes can be distributed to be uniform along the entire regions of the central portion of the culture substrate 21. Alternatively, the microelectrodes can be distributed differently according to regions of the central portion of the culture substrate 21.
The exemplary embodiments of the present application have been disclosed herein with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that the terminologies used herein are intended to be in the nature of description rather than of limiting the scope of the present application defined in the claims. Those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications and equivalents are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, the scope of the present application shall be defined by the technical idea of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2008-0109082 | Nov 2008 | KR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/KR09/02531 | 5/13/2009 | WO | 00 | 5/4/2011 |