A Programmable High-Voltage Compliance Neural Stimulator for Deep Brain Stimulation in Vivo
Cihun-Siyong Alex Gong,
Hsin-Yi Lai,
Sy-Han Huang,
Yu-Chun Lo,
Nicole Lee,
Pin-Yuan Chen,
Po-Hsun Tu,
Chia-Yen Yang,
James Chang-Chieh Lin,
You-Yin Chen
Affiliations
Cihun-Siyong Alex Gong
Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, No. 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd., Guishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan
Hsin-Yi Lai
Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, Zhejiang University, Zhouyiqing Building, Yuquan Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
Sy-Han Huang
Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming University, No.155, Sec.2, Linong St., Taipei 112, Taiwan
Yu-Chun Lo
Center for Optoelectronic Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No.1 Jen Ai Rd. Sec. 1. Taipei 100, Taiwan
Nicole Lee
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0412, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
Pin-Yuan Chen
Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung University and Memorial Hospital at Linkou, No.5, Fuxing St., Guishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan
Po-Hsun Tu
Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung University and Memorial Hospital at Linkou, No.5, Fuxing St., Guishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan
Chia-Yen Yang
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ming-Chuan University, 5 De Ming Rd., Guishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan
James Chang-Chieh Lin
Department of Electrical Engineering, Chang Gung University, No. 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Rd., Guishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan
You-Yin Chen
Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming University, No.155, Sec.2, Linong St., Taipei 112, Taiwan
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one of the most effective therapies for movement and other disorders. The DBS neurosurgical procedure involves the implantation of a DBS device and a battery-operated neurotransmitter, which delivers electrical impulses to treatment targets through implanted electrodes. The DBS modulates the neuronal activities in the brain nucleus for improving physiological responses as long as an electric discharge above the stimulation threshold can be achieved. In an effort to improve the performance of an implanted DBS device, the device size, implementation cost, and power efficiency are among the most important DBS device design aspects. This study aims to present preliminary research results of an efficient stimulator, with emphasis on conversion efficiency. The prototype stimulator features high-voltage compliance, implemented with only a standard semiconductor process, without the use of extra masks in the foundry through our proposed circuit structure. The results of animal experiments, including evaluation of evoked responses induced by thalamic electrical stimuli with our fabricated chip, were shown to demonstrate the proof of concept of our design.
