Packaging of Neural Stimulation/Recording Systems: Review and New Mechanism for Interfacing Passive Electrodes and Signal Processing Circuitry

摘要

In this paper, the packaging issues surrounding neural stimulation and recording electrodes are discussed. First, a survey of the current neural stimulation and recording systems is given. The various packaging issues involved with both active and passive electrode arrasys are addressed. Second, a forcused analysis of the Utah Intracortical Electrode Array (UIEA) is given. The complete system includes a passive eletrode array. the signal processing electronics and the interface betwen the two components. Packaging of the system is one of the of the most critical issues involved with the development of a working system. The issues involved with packaging of this system are addressed. In particular, the packaging interfaces between the passive electrode arrays to the signal processing circuitry are investigated. A new packaging approach utilizing ribbon cables is given to link the two system components. Electrical characteriation and reliability testing results are given for the ribbon cables.