A Brain Implantable Microsystem with Hybrid RF/IR Telemetry for Advanced Neuroengineering Applications

Abstract

A prototype cortical neural interface microsystem has been developed for brain implantable neuroengineering applications, featuring hybrid RF (radio-frequency) inductive and IR (infrared) optical telemetries. The system is aimed at neural recording from primates by converting cortical signals to a digital stream of IR light pulses, while acquiring clock signal and electrical power through RF induction. The implantable unit employs a flexible LCP (liquid crystal polymer) substrate for integration of analog, digital, and optoelectronic components, while adapting to the anatomical and physiological constraints of the environment. An ultra-low power analog CMOS chip, which includes preamplifier and multiplexing circuitry, is directly flip-chip bonded to the microelectrode array to form the immediate cortical neuroprobe device. A 16-channel version of the probe has been tested in various in-vivo animal experiments, including measurements of neural activity in somatosensory cortex of a rat.

Advanced Neurotechnologies for Chronic Neural Interfaces: New Horizons and Clinical Opportunities

“…With more device complexity and increased numbers of sites, getting signals from or to the microelectrodes becomes a significant issue, especially in awake and behaving preparations and brain-computer applications. Although physical connectors are the current de facto standard, there is notable progress in developing low-power, low-noise electronic interfaces with wireless interfaces (Neihart and Harrison, 2005;Song et al, 2005Song et al, , 2007Oweiss, 2006;Ghovanloo and Najafi, 2007;Sodagar et al, 2007;Lee et al, 2008).…”

Integrated wireless neural interface based on the Utah electrode array

“…2004;Parramon et al 1997;Song et al 2007;Takeuchi and Shimoyama 2004;Wise et al 2004). Most of these systems make use of off-the-shelf components leading to wireless telemetry systems that are rather bulky and consume relatively high power.…”

“…Since the first demonstration of a single-chip based wireless system for acquisition, processing and telemetry of biomedical data (Song et al 1997), individual components or systems have been developed for recording and wireless transmission of neural data from the central or peripheral nervous system (DeMichele and Troyk 2003;Farshchi et al 2006;Hill and Culler 2002;Irazoqui-Pastor et al 2002;Modarreszadeh and Schmidt 1997;Mohseni and Najafi 2003;Mohseni and Najafi 2004;Nieder 2000;Obeid at el. 2004;Parramon et al 1997;Song et al 2007;Takeuchi and Shimoyama 2004;Wise et al 2004).…”

Rectennas performance based on substrates for bio-medical applications

“…Wireless power transmission technology for moving objects maneuverability and reliability can be based on the designed or designed functionality of moving objects, such as power requirement, transmission characters, and safety issues. Recently, WPT system for biomedical applications has been investigated by many researches, [7][8][9] such as neural recording and measurement of glucose level in human body. With the strong advantages removing any infection source through the skin, wireless power transmission technology is considered as one of strong candidates in electrical power source of medical electronics using various frequency spectrums.…”