A compact, nano-power CMOS action potential detector

Real time action potential (AP) detection is an important requirement for development of fully implantable neuroprosthetic devices. We present an ultra low-power CMOS analog circuit for detection of APs embedded in a noisy signal. The proposed strategy isolates APs by detecting subsequently a positive and a negative spike of each AP. An AP is detected only if the positive spike is detected within a short period of time after the negative spike was detected. The proposed circuit has been designed to be implemented in AMIS 0.35 ¿m technology (I3T80) and has been verified in Cadence using RF spectre. The final circuit operates from a 1-V supply and consumes only 1.5 nA. The detector is verified by means of simulations with synthetic neural waveforms and is able to successfully detect APs in noisy signals.