Wireless Long/Term EEG/EMG Recording System for Mice

摘要

The purpose of this Phase I STTR was to demonstrate feasibility for a wireless long-term EEG/EMG recording system for use with mice. Animal testing at Northwestern demonstrated that mice will tolerate a head-mounted unit of up to 1 Cm(exp3) without modifying their running wheel behavior, if the weight did not exceed 500 mg. The effective maximum volume is 5x5x7 mm (0.2 cm(exp 2)). The proposal called for an IR power and telemetry link, but after a significant effort, the team determined that this approach is not feasible. All alternative power solutions were considered, and the team settled on a design in which a radio frequency (RF) field remotely powers the system eliminating the need for batteries, and 'backscattered' telemetry transmits data. A remotely powered system was developed which can measure 200 uV differential inputs (10 uV noise floor) at approximately 35 samples/sec/channel with a current draw of 500 uA (1. 5 mW). This is a significant achievement - however, after completing this Phase I, it is clear that the size, power, cost, gain, and acquisition speed required for wireless long-term EEG/EMG testing on mice is not feasible with current technology, but the design has applications in other areas of manufacturing.