Retina-like processing and coding platform for cortical neuro-stimulation

This paper describes a bio-inspired preprocessing and coding system devised for proper multielectrode stimulation at the primary visual cortex. After an introduction of the software/hardware (Sw/Hw) retina-like preprocessor as well as the system that produces a continuously varying stream of spike patterns, the paper presents a comparison of the system responses when only spatial or a combined spatio-temporal visual processing are modeled. The system is implemented both in software and in reconfigurable hardware. The main target of this work is to build, in a near future, a portable system for a neuro-prosthesis able to stimulate efficiently an array of intra-cortical implanted electrodes. The Sw/Hw platform is highly programmable and reconfigurable as required for experimentation, providing real-time neuromorphic stimulation able to be particularized for each implanted blind individual.