Silicon-Based Multichannel Probe Integrated with a Front End Low Power Neural Recording IC for Acute Neural Recording

Abstract

This work presents a silicon-based multichannel probe integrated with a front end low power neural recording integrated circuit (IC) which is used in acute neural recording application. The low power neural recording IC contains 100-channel analog recording front-ends, 10 multiplexing successive approximation register ADCs, digital control modules and power management circuits. The 100-channel neural recording IC consumes 1.16-mW, making it the optimum solution for multi-channel neural recording systems. The neural recording IC and Si probe are integrated in a printed circuit board (PCB) which is fixed on the skull using dental resin. Digital neural signal is converted to analog signal and output by neural recording IC. The signal-to-noise ratio of neural recording signal can be increased through the reduction of interconnect length. The buckling strength of the fabricated probes was simulated using finite element analysis and measured by compression tester. The packaging method of 2D probe and neural recording IC was successfully demonstrated. The impedance of the assembled probe is also measured and discussed. To verify the functionality of Si probe integrated with neural recording IC, a pseudo neural signal acquisitions have been perform.