The results of recent research on our implantable CMOS biomedical devices are reviewed. Topics include retinal prosthesis devices and deep-brain implantation devices for small animals. Fundamental device structures and characteristics as well as in vivo experiments are presented.

In this work, we present a simple complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-controlled photovoltaic power-transfer platform that is suitable for very small (less than or equal to 1–2 mm) electronic devices such as implantable health-care devices or distributed nodes for the Internet of Things. We designed a 1.25 mm × 1.25 mm CMOS power receiver chip that contains integrated photovoltaic cells. We characterized the CMOS-integrated power receiver and successfully demonstrated blue light-emitting diode (LED) operation powered by infrared light. Then, we integrated the CMOS chip and a few off-chip components into a 1-mm3 implantable optogenetic stimulator, and demonstrated the operation of the device.

An observation technique for animal brain activity under freely moving conditions is important to understand brain functions because brain activity under an anesthetized condition is different from that under a nonanesthetized condition. We have developed an ultrasmall CMOS imaging device for brain activity observation under freely moving conditions. This device is composed of a CMOS image sensor chip and nine LEDs for illumination. It weighs only 0.02 g and its small size enables experiments to be performed without restricting animal movement. This feature is advantageous for brain imaging, particularly in freely moving situations. In this study, we have demonstrated blood-flow imaging using the device for the stable observation of brain activity over a long period. The blood flow can be observed without staining the brain during optical imaging. We have successfully estimated the blood-flow velocity under freely moving conditions.

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