An adaptable multichannel architecture for cortical stimulation

Abstract

An architecture for a cortical stimulator with visual neuro-prosthetic purposes is presented. This device uses a 3D penetrating multielectrode array, which will be implanted in V1, offering different signal amplitude sets with the programable current source module. This electrode array has been proved for injecting current (charge) in a safety, secure and precise way during animal acute experimentation. The dynamic characteristic of the stimulator provide the possibility to adapt the current level to the different electrodes and tissue impedances. The architectureis based on a microprocessor circuit with programmable waveforms with a transistor based current injection stage. With the proposed system, a wide stimuli set can be used for obtaining the optimal parameters to use in a visual neuroprosthesis using as input a retinomorphic system. The histological results validate the stimulation and implantation procedures. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.