Powering mm-Size Wireless Implants for Brain-Machine Interfaces

摘要: Over the last couple of years, Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMI) based on microelectrode arrays have been shown to potential substantially improve quality life for people suffering from debilitating conditions such as spinal cord injuries or limb loss. One most critical parts a BMI system is neural sensor. It ideally implanted underneath skull, reads out signals brain and transmits them wirelessly receiver outside skull. The requirements electronics sensor are extremely stringent, especially with respect size power consumption. Ideally, overall node limited by itself, rather than source. This work investigates powering options implants sizes ranging 10 mm down 1 mm. Wireless transfer identified promising option doing so investigated in detail. shown, that given implant antenna size, an optimum combination external frequency operation exists minimizes link In limitations maximum transmit received due health concerns, available mm-size function derived. Two different AC-to-DC conversion circuit topologies, covering expected input range, analyzed detail design guidelines each given. Finally, 3 proof-of-concept implementation powered transponder presented. was tested air animal provides enough extra DC front-end while supporting 2 Mbps radio link. presented tag smallest wireless reported date prooves feasibility remotely implants.