A Two-Dimensional Multielectrode Microprobe for the Visual Cortex

摘要

The pattern recognition research effort being conducted at the AFIT Bioengineering Laboratory motivated the design of an electrode array microprobe capable of simultaneously recording the bioelectrical signals existing over a large surface area of the cortex of the mammalian brain. Data recorded from this device should increase the present level of knowledge of the interconnections of the various areas of the cerebral cortex and thus be instrumental in the development of theories on the pattern recognition capabilities of the human brain. An implanted system has been designed around this microprobe to detect the cortico-electrical signals, multiplex and modulate these data, and then transmit them across the intact scalp to external recording equipment. The electrode array microprobe, itself, makes use of junction field-effect transistors integrated directly onto the array substrate in order to multiplex the probe's output leads. The first example of a four by four version of the electrode array has been fabricated. It did not function as designed because of technical problems and a revised process schedule was produced. (Author)