A neural recording and stimulation technique using passivated electrodes and micro-inductors

In this paper, a recording and stimulation method that does not require electrodes exposed to the neurons is introduced. Unlike conventional neural stimulation ICs based on micro-electrodes, the proposed method exploits eddy current induced by time-varying magnetic field of a micro-inductor. The recording circuit employs an electrolyte-insulator-metal capacitor which removes the need for the exposed metal electrode, thereby making the post-process step easier. The proposed technique also solves the problem of recording blind-time and charge-imbalance seen in the conventional MEA-based system. The proof-of-concept IC has been fabricated in 0.18 um 1-poly, 4-metal standard CMOS process.