A Digitally-Controlled Integrated Circuit Solution for Tinnitus Treatment with Charge Balancing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Tinnitus is a prevalent condition affecting millions globally, often necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches.
• Current tinnitus treatments have limitations, driving the need for advanced neuromodulation devices.
• Direct electrical stimulation of the inner ear shows promise for tinnitus management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel integrated circuit designed for precise electrical stimulation in tinnitus treatment.
• To detail the architecture and capabilities of an implantable chip for inner ear neuromodulation.
• To present a high-voltage, low-power solution for generating arbitrary current waveforms for therapeutic purposes.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an integrated circuit using a 0.18um BCD high-voltage CMOS process.
• Integration of key components including an 8-bit DAC, amplitude control, high-voltage drive and charge balance circuits, level shifter, SRAM, ROM, and control unit.
• Development of an on-chip control unit for autonomous waveform generation and stimulation delivery.

Main Results:

• The integrated circuit successfully generates current stimulus with arbitrary waveforms directly into inner ear tissue.
• Achieved a precise charge balance of ±0.1 mV, crucial for safe and effective neural stimulation.
• Eliminated the need for external control circuitry, enabling a compact, implantable multi-chip module.

Conclusions:

• The developed integrated circuit represents a significant advancement in implantable neuromodulation devices for tinnitus treatment.
• The chip's capabilities facilitate precise, on-demand electrical stimulation, offering a new avenue for managing tinnitus.
• This technology holds potential for personalized tinnitus therapy through customizable stimulation parameters.