A wireless integrated circuit for 100-channel charge-balanced neural stimulation

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Integrated Circuit Design

Background:

• Wireless neural stimulation systems are crucial for advanced neuroprosthetics and research.
• Existing systems often face limitations in electrode count, power delivery, and miniaturization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate an integrated circuit for high-channel-count wireless neural stimulation.
• To demonstrate the chip's capability for both motor and sensory nerve activation.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a BiCMOS integrated circuit for neural stimulation.
• Implementation of a wireless power and data transmission link (2.765-MHz inductive link).
• Benchtop testing and in-vivo experiments using a cat sciatic nerve model and somatosensory cortex recordings.

Main Results:

• The integrated circuit successfully drove 100 individual stimulation electrodes with configurable constant-current biphasic pulses.
• Wireless power and command reception were achieved with minimal off-chip components.
• In-vivo experiments demonstrated activation of motor fibers (muscle twitches) and sensory fibers (evoked potentials).

Conclusions:

• The developed integrated circuit offers a promising platform for high-density wireless neural stimulation.
• The system's ability to activate both motor and sensory pathways validates its potential for therapeutic and research applications.
• This technology advances the development of sophisticated neuroprosthetic devices.