Abstract
More than 50 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy and around 6.3 million have Parkinson’s disease (PD). These are two examples of the many neurological disorders. Depending on the severity, one available solution is deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS is a method to send electrical impulses to the desired region of the brain by using an electrode implant to regulate abnormal impulses. Another stimulation method, known as optogenetics, uses optical stimulation. This method is already popular in experiments on mice and non-human primates, but not in humans. Considering the recent research and development in optogenetics, its implementation in humans could be another solution for neurological treatment.
The objective of this thesis was to develop a wireless fully implantable brain machine interface (BMI) which can be applied to both animals and humans. In this thesis, we propose the concept of the Wireless Nanonetworking Device (WiOptND), which is batteryless and small in size. We found that this device is feasible to be implemented with existing technology by considering optogenetic specifications and light intensity requirements. Furthermore, we propose a system charging protocol that can be integrated into this device. We found that by employing a suitable charging protocol, the efficiency and the effectiveness of the device can be maximised. Moreover, it can support spatially distributed stimulation, where multiple devices can support synchronous neuronal stimulation. In addition to that, we investigated light propagation behaviour in neuronal tissue. Interestingly, the light exhibited focusing effect for spherical and pyramidal-shaped neurons.
In summary, all the results of this thesis contribute to the development of wireless BMI. This development opens up more opportunities for both laboratory observations, such as freely moving experimental subjects, and clinical implementations, such as daily neurological treatments.
The objective of this thesis was to develop a wireless fully implantable brain machine interface (BMI) which can be applied to both animals and humans. In this thesis, we propose the concept of the Wireless Nanonetworking Device (WiOptND), which is batteryless and small in size. We found that this device is feasible to be implemented with existing technology by considering optogenetic specifications and light intensity requirements. Furthermore, we propose a system charging protocol that can be integrated into this device. We found that by employing a suitable charging protocol, the efficiency and the effectiveness of the device can be maximised. Moreover, it can support spatially distributed stimulation, where multiple devices can support synchronous neuronal stimulation. In addition to that, we investigated light propagation behaviour in neuronal tissue. Interestingly, the light exhibited focusing effect for spherical and pyramidal-shaped neurons.
In summary, all the results of this thesis contribute to the development of wireless BMI. This development opens up more opportunities for both laboratory observations, such as freely moving experimental subjects, and clinical implementations, such as daily neurological treatments.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Tampere |
| Publisher | Tampere University |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-952-03-1728-7 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-952-03-1727-0 |
| Publication status | Published - 2020 |
| Publication type | G5 Doctoral dissertation (articles) |
Publication series
| Name | Tampere University Dissertations - Tampereen yliopiston väitöskirjat |
|---|---|
| Volume | 323 |
| ISSN (Print) | 2489-9860 |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 2490-0028 |
