Architecture and system level concept for wireless brain machine interface

Abstract

The recent progresses in the field of medicine and biotechnology have made it possible to implant micro-electronic devices in the human body. In the field of semiconductor technology, the immense progress provides a way for devices at a millimeter scale or less such as micro-implants, but still there are some challenges in the miniaturization of the power source. This is the major hurdle in the development of a BMI device with micro electrodes for clinical use that are less or fully invasive. In upcoming BMI models, it is possible to implant data extraction electrodes and controls the device as a natural part of its representation of the body. As a short term solution for all these vast bulk of implantable electronic devices consists of harvesting components or energy storage. The revolutions and innovations in last era, to develop the interface of neuroscience and engineering lead to the advent of the field of Brain Machine Interfaces (BMIs). In a BMI system, it is difficult to analyze the brain waves because it carries a large amount of information. Data acquisition unit can receive the particular information through wired or wireless system. The neural recordings will also need to go through a process of pre-signaling for feature extraction and translation algorithm. Brain signal pre-processing can be done by using three methods. These methods are Basic Filtering, Adaptive Filtering and Blind Source Separation. The data from acquisition unit can be sent through a wireless ZigBee/UWB/WiFi module, depending upon the number of electrode arrays used in BMI system. In this thesis, we have proposed an end-to-end wireless BMI system based on available literature that provides a feasible way for paralyzed patients to communicate and control their muscles and robotic body parts by using their neurological signals. According to this idea, the above mentioned systems can enable a high power efficient and wireless BMI development. From a medical point of view an implantable wireless system is necessary for the applications of invasive BMI to reduce the risk of infection.