Neural interfaces

NX-422 / 6 credits

Teacher(s): Lacour Stéphanie, Shoaran Mahsa

Language: English

Summary

Neural interfaces (NI) are bioelectronic systems that interface the nervous system to digital technologies. This course presents their main building blocks (transducers, instrumentation & communication), reviews current and upcoming materials and technological solutions for implantable & wearable NI

Content

Introduction and key concepts.

  • The Human Body. The Nervous System.
  • Scales. Biomaterials. Biomechanics.
  • Functions. Electrophysiology.
  • Neural Recording.
  • Communication. Standards.

Case study 1. The Cochlear Implant.

  • Electrodes and leads: materials, manufacturing, electrochemical impedance spectrocopy
  • Function: neuromodulation: Stimulation parameters.
  • Implantable neural system: Packaging.

Case study 2. Brain Computer Interfaces

  • Invasive and wearable technologies.
  • Electrodes. Scale and density.
  • Metallic (macroscopic) electrodes.
  • Silicon-based (micromachined) electrodes.
  • Flexible probes
  • Multimodal probes
  • Biointegration
  • Implantable electronics
  • Miniaturized CMOS-based interfaces
  • Neural amplifiers
  • Digitization and compression methods and circuits
  • Neurostimulation methods and circuits
  • Classification of neural data
  • BCI systems
  • Spike sorting, decoding and control
  • Wireless power and data transmission

 

Keywords

Electrodes

Microfabrication

Biomaterials

Implantable electronics

Circuit design

Low-power electronics

Machine learning

Telemetry

Neural Engineering

Learning Prerequisites

Recommended courses

Sensors MICRO-330, Microfabrication MICRO-301, MICRO-331
Materials MSE-207, MSE-208, BIO315, Analog IC design EE-320

Background in neuroscience BIO311

Background in electronics

 

Important concepts to start the course

Basic concepts in electronics

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Design
  • Develop
  • Sketch
  • Integrate
  • Propose
  • Plan

Transversal skills

  • Communicate effectively, being understood, including across different languages and cultures.
  • Keep appropriate documentation for group meetings.
  • Give feedback (critique) in an appropriate fashion.
  • Make an oral presentation.
  • Write a scientific or technical report.

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra lectures

In-class Exercices (once a month)

Team project (throughout the semester)

 

Expected student activities

attend weekly lectures

read proposed references

develop a team project

Assessment methods

In-class assessment (30%):

3 in-class, graded quizzes during the semester

Team project (70%):

  • project report (50%)
  • team oral presentation (40%)
  • engagement across the semester (10%)

Supervision

Office hours No
Assistants Yes
Forum Yes

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Bibliography

Books:

Neuroprosthetics: Theory and Practice (Second Edition)

K.Horch, D. Kipke

Brain computer interface technologies

Claude Clément

Design of Analog CMOS Integrated Circuits, 2nd Edition, B. Razavi, McGraw-Hill

 

Ressources en bibliothèque

Notes/Handbook

lecture slides on moodle

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional
  • Semester: Fall
  • Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
  • Subject examined: Neural interfaces
  • Courses: 4 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: optional

Reference week

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