Transcript Document

Neuro-prosthetic Devices
Yael Hanein
School of Electrical Engineering, Tel-Aviv University
http://www.eng.tau.ac.il/~hanein
Our brain is connected to a
peripheral system of sensory
inputs which allow us to see,
hear, smell, taste, and feel
A damage to these sensors or to
their link to the brain can cause
serious medical conditions
such as blindness and
deafness
• Neuro-prosthetic devices are electronic
devices which can provide an input and
links to the nervous system
• By sending electrical pulses, they can
restore various functions such as hearing,
vision, and limb control
• Cochlear implants are commercially
available
The eye
Our photo sensors are located in the retina, at
the back of our eye.
Their degeneration is a major cause for
blindness
Restoring sight with microchips
• Electronics and biology are not naturally
compatible
• However, they can be interfaced using
special materials
Neurons and nano-materials
Recordings from a Retina
Target: 625 electrodes, center-center spacing = 20 mm
A
10 mV
TiN
5 ms
100 mV
20 ms
B
10 mV
CNT
5 ms
100 mV
20 ms
The future
Summary
• Nanotechnology helps making better
bio-materials
• Retinal Implants and other neuroprosthetic devices are likely to mature in
the next several years