Wireless Neural Interface Operates from Harvested RF Energy
November 9, 2009 – 5:43 pm
Image Courtesy of Brian Otis, University of Washington.
From the Wire: A wireless neural interface that operates from harvested RF energy could enable new applications in prosthetics and brain-machine interfaces. Developed at the University of Washington, the NeuralWISP interface is compatible with commercial RFID readers. It includes a custom low-noise, low power amplifier IC for processing the neural signal and an analogue spike detection circuit for reducing digital computational requirements and communications bandwidth. The system monitors the neural signal and periodically transmits spike density in a user-programmable time window. The entire system draws an average 20 µA from the harvested 1.8-V supply. The chip works without a battery, pulling power from a radio source up to a metre away. In lab experiments, the scientists used the device to monitor central nervous system activity in moths.
A tethered moth is connected to the neural sensing system, which records activity from its central nervous system as it flaps its wings. Image courtesy of Brian Otis, University of Washington.
Although neural implants have generally become smaller over the years, most implantable devices rely on multiple parts that are larger than the transistors on the microcontroller, explains Brian Otis, professor of electrical engineering at the University of Washington who is active in the research. The NeuralWISP project thus may contribute to the general trend of miniaturisation of implantable devices.
More information on the interface is available from the MIT Technology Review.
Tags: NeuralWISP, RFID, University of Washington
