Fractal Electrodes as a Generic Interface for Stimulating Neurons

Abstract The prospect of replacing damaged body parts with artificial implants is being transformed from science fiction to science fact through the increasing application of electronics to interface with human neurons in the limbs, the brain, and the retina. We propose bio-inspired electronics whic...

Descripción completa

Guardado en:

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales:	W. J. Watterson, R. D. Montgomery, R. P. Taylor
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Nature Portfolio 2017
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/fad64230ce014b81b0e6d2f72570c647
Etiquetas:	Agregar Etiqueta Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!

id	oai:doaj.org-article:fad64230ce014b81b0e6d2f72570c647
record_format	dspace
spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:fad64230ce014b81b0e6d2f72570c6472021-12-02T12:30:18ZFractal Electrodes as a Generic Interface for Stimulating Neurons10.1038/s41598-017-06762-32045-2322https://doaj.org/article/fad64230ce014b81b0e6d2f72570c6472017-07-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06762-3https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract The prospect of replacing damaged body parts with artificial implants is being transformed from science fiction to science fact through the increasing application of electronics to interface with human neurons in the limbs, the brain, and the retina. We propose bio-inspired electronics which adopt the fractal geometry of the neurons they interface with. Our focus is on retinal implants, although performance improvements will be generic to many neuronal types. The key component is a multifunctional electrode; light passes through this electrode into a photodiode which charges the electrode. Its electric field then stimulates the neurons. A fractal electrode might increase both light transmission and neuron proximity compared to conventional Euclidean electrodes. These advantages are negated if the fractal’s field is less effective at stimulating neurons. We present simulations demonstrating how an interplay of fractal properties generates enhanced stimulation; the electrode voltage necessary to stimulate all neighboring neurons is over 50% less for fractal than Euclidean electrodes. This smaller voltage can be achieved by a single diode compared to three diodes required for the Euclidean electrode’s higher voltage. This will allow patients, for the first time, to see with the visual acuity necessary for navigating rooms and streets.W. J. WattersonR. D. MontgomeryR. P. TaylorNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 7, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2017)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q W. J. Watterson R. D. Montgomery R. P. Taylor Fractal Electrodes as a Generic Interface for Stimulating Neurons
description	Abstract The prospect of replacing damaged body parts with artificial implants is being transformed from science fiction to science fact through the increasing application of electronics to interface with human neurons in the limbs, the brain, and the retina. We propose bio-inspired electronics which adopt the fractal geometry of the neurons they interface with. Our focus is on retinal implants, although performance improvements will be generic to many neuronal types. The key component is a multifunctional electrode; light passes through this electrode into a photodiode which charges the electrode. Its electric field then stimulates the neurons. A fractal electrode might increase both light transmission and neuron proximity compared to conventional Euclidean electrodes. These advantages are negated if the fractal’s field is less effective at stimulating neurons. We present simulations demonstrating how an interplay of fractal properties generates enhanced stimulation; the electrode voltage necessary to stimulate all neighboring neurons is over 50% less for fractal than Euclidean electrodes. This smaller voltage can be achieved by a single diode compared to three diodes required for the Euclidean electrode’s higher voltage. This will allow patients, for the first time, to see with the visual acuity necessary for navigating rooms and streets.
format	article
author	W. J. Watterson R. D. Montgomery R. P. Taylor
author_facet	W. J. Watterson R. D. Montgomery R. P. Taylor
author_sort	W. J. Watterson
title	Fractal Electrodes as a Generic Interface for Stimulating Neurons
title_short	Fractal Electrodes as a Generic Interface for Stimulating Neurons
title_full	Fractal Electrodes as a Generic Interface for Stimulating Neurons
title_fullStr	Fractal Electrodes as a Generic Interface for Stimulating Neurons
title_full_unstemmed	Fractal Electrodes as a Generic Interface for Stimulating Neurons
title_sort	fractal electrodes as a generic interface for stimulating neurons
publisher	Nature Portfolio
publishDate	2017
url	https://doaj.org/article/fad64230ce014b81b0e6d2f72570c647
work_keys_str_mv	AT wjwatterson fractalelectrodesasagenericinterfaceforstimulatingneurons AT rdmontgomery fractalelectrodesasagenericinterfaceforstimulatingneurons AT rptaylor fractalelectrodesasagenericinterfaceforstimulatingneurons
_version_	1718394433252098048

Fractal Electrodes as a Generic Interface for Stimulating Neurons

Ejemplares similares