Oscillatrode Neural Probe Circuits for High-Density Multiplexed Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art electrophysiological neural recording using neural probes faces a trade-off between spatial, temporal, and sensitivity resolution, limiting the amount of sensor data that can be carried back for testing and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of oscillatrode circuits with ring oscillators embedded in neural probes, which modulate neural signals onto a single wire using frequency division multiplexing, enabling high-density measurements and simultaneous recording across multiple regions of the brain cortex without the need for additional signal processing within the cranium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional neural probes with multiple separate signal processing circuits are used, then spatial and temporal resolution are improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate signal processing circuits are merged into a single oscillatrode circuit that can simultaneously process signals from multiple electrodes. The oscillatrode uses a common bus shared by multiple electrodes, allowing them to share oscillation resources and reduce overall circuit complexity while maintaining measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The common bus and oscillatrode circuit are designed to serve multiple electrodes simultaneously. A single oscillatrode circuit can modulate and transmit signals from multiple electrodes through frequency division multiplexing, making the circuit universal and eliminating the need for dedicated processing circuits for each electrode.
2Measurement precision
If traditional neural probes with dedicated signal processing for each electrode are used, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power-hungry signal processing functions are merged into a single oscillatrode circuit. By sharing the oscillation circuitry and common bus among multiple electrodes, the total power consumption is significantly reduced compared to having dedicated processing circuits for each electrode, while sensitivity resolution is maintained through proper signal modulation.
3Productivity
If frequency division multiplexing with oscillatrode circuits is used, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillatrode circuit acts as an intermediary that converts multiple electrode signals into frequency-modulated signals on a common bus. This intermediary approach enables high-density recording by allowing multiple signals to share a single transmission channel through frequency division multiplexing, effectively increasing productivity without requiring proportionally more complex hardware.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly increases recording density by simplifying hardware under the electrodes and shifting power-hungry signal processing outside the cranium, allowing for massive-scale neural recording and correlation studies between neural networks and external environments.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage controlled oscillator circuit configured to convert an input voltage to an output frequency
Implementation Method 2
a modulator circuit coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator circuit and configured to modulate a frequency of the carrier signal based on the input voltage
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, there is provided an apparatus including a common bus and a plurality of oscillatrode circuits coupled to the common bus, the plurality of oscillatrode circuits including a first oscillatrode circuit outputting a first frequency tone when a first input voltage is detected by the first oscillatrode circuit and a second oscillatrode circuit outputting a second frequency tone when a second input voltage is detected by the second oscillatrode circuit, wherein common bus carries the first frequency tone and the second frequency tone at different frequencies in a frequency division multiplex signal. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.