Recent advances in neural dust: towards a neural interface platform

Ryan M Neely; David K Piech; Samantha R Santacruz; Michel M Maharbiz; Jose M Carmena

doi:10.1016/j.conb.2017.12.010

Recent advances in neural dust: towards a neural interface platform

Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2018 Jun:50:64-71. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.12.010. Epub 2018 Jan 11.

Authors

Ryan M Neely¹, David K Piech², Samantha R Santacruz³, Michel M Maharbiz⁴, Jose M Carmena⁵

Affiliations

¹ Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
² UCB/UCSF Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
³ Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
⁴ Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; UCB/UCSF Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA. Electronic address: maharbiz@berkeley.edu.
⁵ Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; UCB/UCSF Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. Electronic address: jcarmena@berkeley.edu.

PMID: 29331738
DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2017.12.010

Abstract

The neural dust platform uses ultrasonic power and communication to enable a scalable, wireless, and batteryless system for interfacing with the nervous system. Ultrasound offers several advantages over alternative wireless approaches, including a safe method for powering and communicating with sub mm-sized devices implanted deep in tissue. Early studies demonstrated that neural dust motes could wirelessly transmit high-fidelity electrophysiological data in vivo, and that theoretically, this system could be miniaturized well below the mm-scale. Future developments are focused on further minimization of the platform, better encapsulation methods as a path towards truly chronic neural interfaces, improved delivery mechanisms, stimulation capabilities, and finally refinements to enable deployment of neural dust in the central nervous system.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain-Computer Interfaces*
Humans
Neural Prostheses
Neurons / physiology*
Ultrasonics
User-Computer Interface*
Wireless Technology*

Grants and funding

R21 EY027570/EY/NEI NIH HHS/United States