Wireless systems and methods for the detection of neural events using onboard processing

Abstract

A neural event electrode interface is configured to communicate with electrodes that capture electrical signals that are associated with at least one neuron. A neural event waveform processor is configured to extract neural events from the electrical signals. A wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit the neural events that are extracted from the electrical signals.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 682,377, filed Oct. 9, 2003, entitled Wireless Systems and Methods for the Detection of Neutral Events Using Onboard Processing, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 417,350, filed Oct. 9, 2002, entitled Systems and Methods for Detection of Neural Events, assigned to the assignee of the present application, the disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if set forth fully herein.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]This invention was made with Government support under National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant Nos. DA 00119, DA 03502, DA 07625, DA 06634, DA 11486, DA 08549 and / or MH 61397 and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Contract No. N66001-02-C-8058. The Government has certain rights to this invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to monitoring and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems and / or methods for detecting neural events using onboard processing. A neural event electrode interface is configured to communicate with electrodes that capture electrical signals that are associated with at least one neuron. A neural event waveform processor is configured to extract neural events from the electrical signals. A wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit the neural events that are extracted from the electrical signals. By transmitting the extracted neural events rather than the captured electrical signals themselves, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the bandwidth used by each electrode may be reduced, so that more electrodes may be used in a given wireless bandwidth.

Problems solved by technology

Cable tethers of this type may be inhibitive of the behavior patterns in laboratory subjects because they may intrude on the environment by limiting the subject's range of motion and pulling the subject in different directions.

Also, the cables sometimes tangle and pull loose implants or electrodes from sensitive areas, which could artificially induce sensations and affect the subjects.

When monitoring brain patterns and behavior, unwanted variables (such as sensations, impediments and behavioral adaptations caused by wires) may limit the accuracy of the data.

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