Implementable Spike Sorting techniques for VLSI wireless BCI/BMI implants: A survey

Brain Computer/Machine Interface (BCI/BMI) has a great potential in solving many handicapped people´s problems (e.g. restoring missing limb functionality) via neural controlled implants. However, the main problems with BCI implants are: the open wound problems, the implant size and the needed power. This limits the usability of BCI implants for patients. Therefore, a wireless VLSI approach can provide a feasible solution for medically safe and usable implants. Spike Sorting play a major role in power consumption and area within the BCI signal processing stages. Thus, this study provides a survey and an analysis of the Signal Processing and Spike Sorting methods being used or proposed for VLSL wireless BCI Implants, along with a suggested design and a set of recommendations as a step closer to real-life BCI implants.