Switchable polymer-based thin film coils as a power module for wireless neural interfaces

S. Kim, K. Zoschke, M. Klein, D. Black, K. Buschick, M. Toepper, P. Tathireddy, R. Harrison, H. Oppermann, F. Solzbacher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reliable chronic operation of implantable medical devices such as the Utah Electrode Array (UEA) for neural interface requires elimination of transcutaneous wire connections for signal processing, powering and communication of the device. A wireless power source that allows integration with the UEA is therefore necessary. While (rechargeable) micro-batteries as well as biological micro-fuel cells are yet far from meeting the power density and lifetime requirements of an implantable neural interface device, inductive coupling between two coils is a promising approach to power such a device with highly restricted dimensions. The power receiving coils presented in this paper were designed to maximize the inductance and quality factor of the coils and microfabricated using polymer-based thin film technologies. A flexible configuration of stacked thin film coils allows parallel and serial switching, thereby allowing to tune the coil's resonance frequency. The electrical properties of the fabricated coils were characterized and their power transmission performance was investigated in laboratory condition.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)467-474
Number of pages8
JournalSensors and Actuators, A: Physical
Volume136
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2007

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by NIH Neural Prosthesis Program, with the contract No. of HHSN265200423621C.

Keywords

  • Inductive powering
  • Micromachining
  • Neural interface
  • Thin film coil
  • Utah Electrode Array (UEA)

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