In vivo Performance Evaluation of Implantable Wireless Neural Signal Transmission System for Brain Machine Interface

A brain-machine interface (BMI) has recently been introduced to research a reliable control of machine from the brain information processing through single neural spikes in motor brain areas for paralyzed individuals. Small, wireless, and implantable BMI system should be developed to decode movement information for classifications of neural activities in the brain. In this paper, we have developed a totally implantable wireless neural signal transmission system (TiWiNets) combined with advanced digital signal processing capable of implementing a high performance BMI system. It consisted of a preamplifier with only 2 operational amplifiers (op-amps) for each channel, wireless bluetooth module (BM), a Labview-based monitor program, and 16 bit-RISC microcontroller. Digital finite impulse response (FIR) band-pass filter based on windowed sinc method was designed to transmit neural signals corresponding to the frequency range of 400 Hz to 1.5 kHz via wireless BM, measuring over -48 dB attenuated in the other frequencies. Less than +/-2% error by inputting a sine wave at pass-band frequencies for FIR algorithm test was obtained between simulated and measured FIR results. Because of the powerful digital FIR design, the total dimension could be dramatically reduced to 23x27x4 mm including wireless BM except for battery. The power isolation was built to avoid the effect of radio-frequency interference on the system as well as to protect brain cells from system damage due to excessive power dissipation or external electric leakage. In vivo performance was evaluated in terms of long-term stability and FIR algorithm for 4 months after implantation. Four TiWiNets were implanted into experimental animals' brains, and single neural signals were recorded and analyzed in real time successfully except for one due to silicon- coated problem. They could control remote target machine by classify neural spike trains based on decoding technology. Thus, we concluded that our study could fulfill in vivo needs to study various single neuron-movement relationships in diverse fields of BMI.

Effect of patient's breathing pattern on the stress changes in third molar extraction

PURPOSE: Heart rate variability(HRV) is the clinical consequence of various influences of the autonomic nervous system(ANS) on heart beat. HRV can estimate the potential physiologic rhythm from the interval between consecutive beats (RR interval or HRV data). It is known as RSA which represents respiration-related HR rhythmic oscillation. Previous studies demonstrated a specific breathing pattern (0.1Hz, 6breaths/min) to improve a physiological body condition related to the stress. In this paper, the level of stress would be evaluated in terms of three phases of the dental treatment, combined with 6breaths/min. METHODS: These phases include before, during and after tooth extraction or anesthesia or something.36 patients'stresses were assessed using HRV stress analyzer in each phase in Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, and Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center from Jun. to Sept. of 2007. HRV 5-min data collected were analyzed in time-domain and frequency-domain to evaluate the activity of autonomic nervous system (ANS) which represents the level of stress. RESULTS: All HRV parameters including HF (high frequency), LF (low frequency) and LF/HF ratio showned a significant change affecting the ANS balance. There was a 6.4% difference between R(LF/HF)s on general breathing pattern for balance of Autonomic nervous system, but on controlled breathing pattern, 0.1Hz, was made narrow till 1.4%. The activity of ANS has increased by 1.4% on general breathing pattern, and by 2.9% on controlled breathing pattern, 0.1Hz. CONCLUSION: After analysis of preoperative stress changes and effect of breathing pattern of 0.1 Hz on the stress in 36 patients who have undergone third molar extraction, following was concluded. In the preoperative stage, the sympathetic change was the greatest after the anesthetic injection, and stress was relieved by controlling the breathing pattern to a frequency of 0.1Hz.