BMSEED files non-provisional patent application for novel peripheral nerve interface

BMSEED (www.bmseed.com) just filed a non-provisional patent application (US Application No. 17/840,275) for our microclip peripheral nerve interface (mcPNI). The mcPNI enables reliable, long-term neuromodulation in small peripheral nerves, and integrates a 2-photon 3D printed microclip with BMSEED’s stretchable microelectrode array (sMEA) technology. The non-provisional filing follows a provisional filing, and is based on our article recently published in Advanced Science (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34837353/).

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) carries sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) signals between the central nervous system (CNS) and other parts of the body, making the PNS rich in targets for therapeutic neuromodulation, bioelectronic medicine, and neuroprosthetics. Peripheral nerve interfaces (PNIs) generally suffer from a tradeoff between selectivity and invasiveness, that is, the electrodes are either far away from the axons in the nerve (low signal to noise ratio, low selectivity) or penetrate the epineurium (damaging the nerve). Our new PNI breaks this tradeoff by interfacing with small nerves, which allows the electrodes to be close to the axons in the nerve without damaging the epineurium. Other advantages of our mcPNI compared to other designs are: (a) increased spatial resolution, (b) reduced mismatch in biomechanical properties with the nerve, (c) reduced disturbance to the host tissue due to its small size, (d) elimination of sutures or adhesives (e) high circumferential contact with small nerves (f) functionality under considerable strain, and (g) graded neuromodulation in a low-threshold stimulation regime.

The filing of this non-provisional patent application was supported by a $50,000 award from the NIH Small Business Phase II Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) Consulting Services program. The law firm Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch, LLP (BSKB) assisted BMSEED with the writing and filing of the application. BSKB (www.bskb.com) is an internationally-recognized and highly-respected intellectual property law firm committed to obtaining and enforcing IP rights.

We greatly appreciate the support of the NIH.

Sincerely, Team BMSEED