基于薄膜AlN超声换能敏感芯片的微型无线神经电刺激植入器件研究

神经电刺激技术是神经科学、临床医学和工程技术高度结合的产物，在生理功能调控、神经退化和疼痛治疗、脑机接口工程等领域具有广阔的应用前景。本项目围绕微型无线神经电刺激植入器件开展研究，以基于薄膜AlN的超声换能敏感芯片为核心技术，解决传统无线神经电刺激植入器件体积大、工作深度浅、能量耦合效率低、生物兼容性差等问题。本项目从理论探索入手，建立植入器件与外部接口的超声无线能量/信号传输模型，探索传输效率最优化机制，以高灵敏超声换能敏感芯片为核心搭建器件和系统，最终实现小尺寸、高可靠、高性能、基于超声波无线传输的神经电刺激植入器件。本项目的研究成果将进一步推动电生理刺激技术广泛的临床应用，并为其可靠性和安全性的提升提供解决途径。

Neurostimulation is an interdisciplinary technology at the boundaries of neuroscience, clinical therapy and engineering. It has promising applications in the fields of physiological function regulation, chronic pain treatment, degenerative disorder treatment and brain-machine interfacing. In this proposal, a miniature, implantable, wireless neural stimulator is proposed using thin-film AlN ultrasonic transducer chips, in order to solve the key issues of current implantable wireless neural stimulators, e.g. large form factor, shallow working depth, low energy coupling coefficient, bio-incompatibility, etc. On this basis, we will establish energy/signal transmission models between the implantable device and outer interfaces, explore the mechanism of optimizing transmission efficiency, build the implantable device and corresponding system with highly sensitive ultrasonic transducer chips as the key element, and finally realize the miniature, highly reliable, high performance, ultrasonic transmission-based neural stimulator. The research findings will open up new and wide clinical applications for electrophysiological stimulation technology, and provide a viable improvement approach for its reliability and safety.