2013/07/08 by Seo, Dongjin, Carmena, Jose M., Rabaey, Jan M. +2
#FOS: Biological sciences #FOS: Physical sciences #Instrumentation and Detectors (physics.ins-det) #Neurons and Cognition (q-bio.NC)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1307.2196
A major hurdle in brain-machine interfaces (BMI) is the lack of an implantable neural interface system that remains viable for a lifetime. This paper explores the fundamental system design trade-offs and ultimate size, power, and bandwidth scaling limits of neural recording systems built from low-power CMOS circuitry coupled with ultrasonic power delivery and backscatter communication. In particular, we propose an ultra-miniature as well as extremely compliant system that enables massive scaling in the number of neural recordings from the brain while providing a path towards truly chronic BMI. These goals are achieved via two fundamental technology innovations: 1) thousands of 10 - 100 μm scale, free-floating, independent sensor nodes, or neural dust, that detect and report local extracellular electrophysiological data, and 2) a sub-cranial interrogator that establishes power and communication links with the neural dust.