Direct inductive stimulation for energy-efficient wireless neural interfaces

Advanced neural stimulator designs consume power and produce unwanted thermal effects that risk damage to surrounding tissue. In this work, we present a simplified architecture for wireless neural stimulators that relies on a few circuit components including an inductor, capacitor and a diode to elicit an action potential in neurons. The feasibility of the design is supported with analytical models of the inductive link, electrode, electrolyte, membrane and channels of neurons. Finally, a flexible implantable prototype of the design is fabricated and tested in vitro on neural tissue.