Title :
A VLSI-based biological interface for prosthetic devices
Author :
Osborn, Michael J. ; Wolpert, Seth
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., Maine Univ., Orono, ME, USA
Abstract :
A circuit was developed to serve as an interface from an intact biological neuron to an electromechanical device. The circuit is a custom VLSI IC that contains a highly sensitive buffer, a neuron-like threshold discriminator, and a dedicated four-phase output driver. Nerve-like in behavior, the circuit detects action potentials from living nerve tissue, and if the activity exceeds a given threshold, drives a four-phase stepper motor. Fabricated in 2-micron CMOS, the circuit is comprehensive, compact, noise-immune, and very power efficient, making it appropriate for the control of robotic or prosthetic devices.
Keywords :
CMOS integrated circuits; VLSI; artificial limbs; biomedical electronics; neural chips; position control; prosthetics; robots; 2 micron; CMOS technology; VLSI-based biological interface; action potentials; custom VLSI IC; dedicated four-phase output driver; electromechanical device; four-phase stepper motor; highly sensitive buffer; intact biological neuron; living nerve tissue; mechanical artificial limb control; neuron-like threshold discriminator; prosthetic devices; robotic actuator; robotic devices; threshold; Biological control systems; CMOS technology; Circuit noise; Control systems; Elbow; Humans; Immune system; Neurons; Prosthetics; Robots;
Conference_Titel :
Bioengineering Conference, 1992., Proceedings of the 1992 Eighteenth IEEE Annual Northeast
Conference_Location :
Kingston, RI, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-0902-2
DOI :
10.1109/NEBC.1992.285962
