Data communication between brain implants and computer

Recent advances in neuroscience, microelectronics, and information technology have allowed construction of miniature, but highly intelligent, devices to be implanted within the brain to perform in vitro diagnostic and therapeutic functions. However, there exists a significant problem in establishing an effective wireless data communication link between brain implants and external computer. This communication investigates this link and presents a new design using the mechanism of volume conduction of biological tissues. A theoretical model of volume conduction of the head is utilized to compute signal strength in data communication and the result is evaluated by a physical model. The two-way data communication sensitivity of the volume conduction channel is found to be symmetric, as suggested by the reciprocity theorem. A high-performance, x-shaped volume conduction antenna has been designed. Experiments are performed on animals which demonstrate the effectiveness of this volume conduction approach.