BioBolt: A Distributed Minimally-Invasive Neural Interface for Wireless Epidural Recording

本研究的目的是开发一种新的平台概念，BioBolt，作为一种分布式无线神经接口，用于微创，完全植入式硬膜外记录。该方法是实现一个独立的无线连接的一些微电极，它可以很容易地通过一个小洞，在颅骨硬脑膜上放置通过简单的操作程序。技术挑战是在小尺寸中实现极低功耗的无线链路。该系统由多个BioBolts和MasterBolt组成。感兴趣区域中空间分布的BioBolts记录神经活动并将信号发送到MasterBolt。我们探索皮肤内的无线通信BioBolt节点和MasterBolt，它允许极低的功率信号传输下5？好吧。MasterBolt使用单通道FM调制传输从相邻BioBolt收集的所有神经信号，功率预算为1mW。该系统具有灵活性和可扩展性，可用于长期慢性监测神经信号，全植入分布式硬膜外神经记录微系统将为研究和了解集体大脑活动提供新的工具，用于与计算机、假肢设备和受损身体的实际接口。该项目开发的完整系统将扩展脑机接口的潜在应用，超越简单的光标控制，并为运动障碍人士提供自然交流和运动的良好替代方案。该项目将培训不同学科的研究生和本科生，以实现大脑和电子设备之间的重要接口。

The object of this research is to develop a new platform concept, BioBolt, as a distributed wireless neural interface for minimally-invasive, fully-implantable epidural recording. The approach is to implement a stand-alone wireless link for a number of microelectrodes, which can be easily placed on the dura mater through a small hole in the skull by simple operation procedure. The technical challenge is to implement an extremely low-power wireless link in a small form factor. The proposed system consists of multiple BioBolts and MasterBolt. Spatially distributed BioBolts in the region of interest record the neural activities and send signals to MasterBolt. We explore the intra-skin wireless communication between BioBolt nodes and MasterBolt, which allows extremely low power signal transmission under 5?ÝW. MasterBolt transmits all the collected neural signals from the neighboring BioBolts using single-channel FM modulation with a power budget of 1mW. This system gives flexibility and expandability for long-term chronic monitoring of neural signals.Fully-implanted distributed wireless microsystems for epidural neural recording will provide a new tool to study and understand the collective brain activities for practical interface with computer, prosthetic devices and control of impaired body. The completed system developed in this project will expand the potential applications for brain-to-computer interfaces beyond simple cursor control and offer people with motor disabilities a good alternative to natural communication and movement. This project will train graduate and undergraduate students across the different disciplines to implement an important interface between brain and electronics.