32 CHANNEL TELEMETER FOR NEUROPHYSIOLOGY

在行为自由的动物中记录许多植入微电极的神经波形对大多数神经生理学家来说是一项艰巨的任务。虽然云台可以解决大多数电气问题，但连接到后置放大器的多线电缆会给自由活动的小动物（如老鼠、鸟类、昆虫和鱼类）带来严重的机械问题。为了消除电缆，将开发、评估和销售一种用于神经波形记录的32通道遥测仪。在第一阶段，将开发和评估一个8通道遥测仪原型。建议遥测的创新部分是集成电路编码器，使这项技术。该编码器将从8个微电极输入神经波形，并将输出编码数据的单个脉冲流。在2.5伏电压下，它需要小于80微安的电流才能实现每通道10 kHz带宽，噪声小于3 microVms。第一阶段的数据传输将采用光学技术。遥测仪电源将可选地由微型助听器电池或光电二极管阵列提供。第二阶段将把通道容量扩大到32个，并纳入合作神经生理学实验室的建议和批评。电力和数据传输选项将扩大到包括射频方法。将改进系统组件和制造技术，以尽量减少成本，促进技术的推广。拟定商业应用：当开发出来时，这种仪器应该可以销售给目前进行电生理记录的所有神经生理学实验室。特别是它将填补技术需要长期记录从多电极阵列在自由行为的小动物。这种仪器也将是适销对路的神经生理学教学。从长远来看，这项技术可能会导致神经修复装置在脊髓损伤的临床应用。

Recording neural waveforms from many implanted microelectrodes in freely behaving animals is a difficult task for most neurophysiologists. While preamplifier head stages solve most electrical problems, multi-wire cabling to post-amplifiers causes significant mechanical problems for freely behaving small animals such as mice, birds, insects and fish. To eliminate the cabling, a 32-channel telemeter for neural waveform recording will be developed, evaluated and marketed. During Phase-I, a prototype 8-channel telemeter will be developed and evaluated. The innovative part of the proposed telemeter is the integrated circuit encoder that enables this technology. This encoder will input neural waveforms from 8 microelectrodes and will output a single pulse stream of encoded data. It will require less than 80microA at 2.5 volts to achieve a 10kHz bandwidth per channel with less than 3microVms noise. Phase-I data transmission will be by optical techniques. Telemeter power will be provided optionally by miniature hearing aid batteries or photodiode arrays. Phase-II will expand the channel capacity to 32, incorporating suggestions and criticisms from the collaborating neurophysiology laboratories. Power and data transmission options will be expanded to include radio-frequency methods. System components and fabrication techniques will be improved to minimize cost and facilitate distribution of the technology. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: When developed, this instrumentation should be marketable to all neurophysiology laboratories that currently make electro-physiological recordings. In particular it will fill the technology need for long term recording from multielectrode arrays in freely behaving small animals. This instrumentation would also be marketable for neurophysiology teaching. In the long term, this technology may lead to neuroprosthetic devices for clinical applications in spinal cord injury.