A micropower integrated platform for wireless multichannel recording of ECoG activity

Abstract

Electrocorticography (ECoG), the recording of electrical signals from the surface of cortex, is widely used for monitoring and analysis of epileptic brain activity. However, current ECoG recording methods require tethering of the patient causing discomfort and impeding his or her mobility. We demonstrate a system for wireless multichannel recording of ECoG activity. The system is comprised of a custom made VLSI neural front end, transceiver modules, battery and a custom software written in LabView for real-time data monitoring and storage. The system offers programmable gain, bandwidth and ADC setting while maintaining low noise performance and drawing less than 6.7mA of current from 3.7V battery. We have validated this system by recording micro-ECoG signal from the dorsal premotor cortex region of a primate performing reach to grasp movements. In our demonstration, we will show the wireless operation of the system, transmitting pre-recorded ECoG signals from primates through a saline solution. We will also show real-time recording of electromyography (EMG) signals from a human subject performing motor movements. Our system offers a new platform for wireless health monitoring system in epilepsy units.