Next Generation Implantable Neural Interface Microsystems

Nature：在过去的十年中，植入式神经接口微系统在检测和控制严重脑部疾病方面显示出了有希望的结果。这些疾病通常起源于大脑的多个区域，为了准确捕获这些疾病，微系统需要越来越多的通道来从大脑的大区域获取高精度的感觉数据。该研究计划将通过研究从集中式高度集成微系统到分布式传感器节点无线网络的设计范式转变，应对因植入式神经接口扩展而带来的日益严峻的技术挑战。 意义：该计划将通过以下方式研究这种范式转变的技术可行性：(i) 建模、仿真、原型开发和表征，以确定集成了天线、电极和电子电路的无线自由浮动单芯片传感器节点的最佳物理和电气规格；(ii) 开发和优化感应电能传输链路，该链路能够抵抗传感器节点周围的运动和随机环境变化；(iii) 研究链路吞吐量限制并解决与采用重复使用无源反向散射方法相关的数据干扰问题。用于传感数据通信的感应电力传输链路。 结果：拟议的研究计划将推进微电子和神经技术领域的科学技术。所开发原型的实验表征结果将用于更好地理解和解决与可植入传感微系统当前技术状态相关的可扩展性限制。一旦完全实现，拟议的研究还将产生一个完全无线的无处不在的传感平台，该平台将填补不仅在神经科学领域而且在其他几个领域（包括但不限于生物化学和生物机器人）进行研究的技术空白。 好处：全世界有超过 10 亿人（加拿大有 360 万人）患有至少一种类型的神经系统疾病。该项目的成功完成将有助于开发下一代植入式神经接口，并应用于对当前可用解决方案难以治疗的患者的脑部疾病的诊断和治疗。此外，据估计，针对癫痫、帕金森氏症和阿尔茨海默氏症的植入式疗法在北美拥有超过十亿美元的市场。该研究计划将为所开发的原型作为医疗设备的商业化以及将所开发的电路和系统知识产权授权给神经技术公司（包括加拿大的公司）提供技术转让机会。

Nature: In the past decade, implantable neural interface microsystems have shown promising results in detection and control of severe brain disorders. Accurate capture of these diseases, which often originate in multiple regions of the brain, demands microsystems with a rapidly-growing need for higher number of channels to acquire high-precision sensory data from a large area of the brain. This research program will respond to the rising technological challenges due to the scaling of implantable neural interfaces, by investigating a design paradigm shift from a centralized highly-integrated microsystem to a distributed wireless network of sensor nodes. Significance: The program will investigate the technical viability of such paradigm shift by (i) modeling, simulation, and prototype development and characterization to determine the optimal physical and electrical specifications of wireless free-floating single-chip sensor nodes that have antenna, electrodes, and electronic circuits integrated on them (ii) development and optimization of an inductive power transfer link that is resilient against movements and random environment variations surrounding sensor nodes, and (iii) investigating link throughput limitations and addressing data interference issues associated with employing a passive backscattering method that reuses the inductive power transfer link for sensory data communication. Outcomes: The proposed research program will advance science and technology in the areas of microelectronics and neuro-technology. The results from experimental characterization of the developed prototypes will be used to better understand and resolve the scalability limitations associated with the current state of technology for implantable sensory microsystems. Once fully realized, the proposed research will also lead to a fully-wireless ubiquitous sensing platform that will fill the technology gaps for conducting research not only in neuroscience, but also in several other fields including but not limited to biochemistry and bio-robotics. Benefits: There are over one billion people worldwide (3.6 million in Canada) who suffer from at least one type of neurological disorder. Successful completion of this program will enable the development of next generation implantable neural interfaces with application in both diagnostic and treatment of brain disorders in patients who are refractory to currently-available solutions. Moreover, implantable therapies for each one of epilepsy, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases are estimated to have over a billion dollar market in North America. This research program will provide technology transfer opportunities in both forms of commercialization of the developed prototypes as a medical device, as well as licensing the developed circuit and system intellectual property to neuro-technology companies, including in Canada.