Design of a Compact Wireless Multi-Channel High Area-Efficient Stimulator with Arbitrary Channel Configuration

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a wireless, implantable, multi-channel, programmable stimulator with arbitrary channel combination. A novel channel management module using a switch array is presented, enabling arbitrary channel configuration with a silicon area reduction of 81%. The chip was fabricated in a 0.18-μm Taiwan semiconductor manufacturing company (TSMC) high voltage (HV) complementary metal–oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. A stimulator system was realized using the proposed integrated circuit (IC). A wireless communication link was established between a specified Android-based graphical user interface (GUI) and the proposed device for control of the stimulation pattern and wireless battery charging. The size of the entire system occupies a volume of only 14 mm × 14 mm × 4 mm (without the battery). Experimental results demonstrated a successful independent configuration between different channels, as well as an arbitrary channel combination, as expected.

Electrical stimulation of the endopiriform nucleus attenuates epilepsy in rats by network modulation

“…We developed a microneural stimulator that consists of four main functional modules: 1) a microcontroller unit (MCU) for stimulation parameter control, 2) a power management module, 3) a current stimulation generator, and 4) a stimulation output module. The design of the stimulator has been fully described in a previous paper 34 . Fig.…”

“…The design of the stimulator has been fully described in a previous paper. 34 Fig. 2 summarizes the design of the stimulator.…”

Editorial for the Special Issue on Wireless Microdevices and Systems for Biomedical Applications

“…The developed technology was used for in vivo experiments using both rodent and porcine models to validate the effectiveness of the implant. Zhang et al [3] also addressed the integration challenge of device miniaturization, while keeping in mind that such systems need to be connected to external devices, e.g., to develop closed loop control devices. They present the design of a wireless, implantable, multi-channel, programmable stimulator with arbitrary channel combination, which is able to establish a wireless communication link between a specified Android-based graphical user interface (GUI).…”