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、全植入式硬膜外记录。该方法是实现多个微电极的独立无线连接，这些微电极可以通过颅骨上的一个小孔，通过简单的操作程序轻松地放置在硬脑膜上。技术上的挑战是在一个小的外形中实现一个极低功耗的无线链路。该系统由多个BioBolts和MasterBolt组成。空间分布在感兴趣区域的BioBolts记录神经活动并向MasterBolt发送信号。我们探索了BioBolt节点和MasterBolt之间的皮肤内无线通信，它允许在5°ÝW以下的极低功率信号传输。MasterBolt使用功率预算为1mW的单通道FM调制传输从邻近BioBolts收集的所有神经信号。该系统为神经信号的长期监测提供了灵活性和可扩展性。全植入分布式无线微系统用于硬膜外神经记录将为研究和理解集体脑活动提供一种新的工具，用于与计算机、假肢设备的实际接口和对受损身体的控制。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，并为运动障碍患者提供自然交流和运动的良好选择。该项目将训练不同学科的研究生和本科生实现大脑和电子之间的重要接口。

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.