Data Communication with Implantable Micro Devices

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EXCEED THE SPACE PROVIDED. The primary goal of this bioengineering project is to investigate power supply and data communication which are common functions of neural implantable devices. Despite significant progress made by the research community in neuroengineering and neural interfaces, a large-scale transformation of scientific results in these fields to clinical applications has not yet taken place. Several critical problems exist in the engineering designs of power supply and communication components. The current use of a large battery in neural stimulators rules out minimization of these devices using advanced microelectronics, causes device-related complications due to the use of subcutaneous cable harness connecting between the chest and the head, and imposes high costs to the patients due to the requirement of surgical replacements of batteries. Although wires penetrating the skin and magnetic induction have both been utilized for communication with implantable devices, they have problems in causing infection (for wire connection) and short signal transmission distance (formagnetic induction). Without solving these problems, many promising neural implants will continue to exist only in research laboratories, unable to help millions of patients suffering from various neurological diseases. We will develop power supply and communication platforms that are feasible in clinical application, reliable in long-term operation, cost-effective, and convenient to patients in proving them with the best possible quality of life. Although our platform technologies will target the general application, the prototypes to be built will be specifically applied to deep brain stimulation. These prototypes will be evaluated on laboratory animals. Our long-term goal is to apply the platform technologies to humans for treatment of a broad class of neurological disorders. PERFORMANCE SITE ========================================Section End===========================================