A 4096 channel event-based multielectrode array with asynchronous outputs compatible with neuromorphic processors.

Bio-signal sensing is pivotal in medical bioelectronics. Traditional methods focus on high sampling rates, leading to large amounts of irrelevant data and high energy consumption. We introduce a self-clocked microelectrode array (MEA) that digitizes bio-signals at the pixel level by encoding changes as asynchronous digital address-events only when they exceed a threshold, significantly reducing off-chip data transmission.

A Time-Domain Readout Technique for Neural Interfaces Based on VCO-Timestamping.

CMOS neural interfaces are aimed at studying the electrical activity of neurons and may help to restore lost functions of the nervous system in the future. The central function of most neural interfaces is the detection of extracellular electrical potentials by means of numerous microelectrodes positioned in close vicinity to the neurons. Modern neural interfaces require compact low-power, low-noise readout circuits, capable of recording from thousands of electrodes simultaneously without excessive area consumption and heat dissipation.

3D In Vitro Blood-Brain-Barrier Model for Investigating Barrier Insults.

Blood-brain-barrier (BBB) disruption has been associated with a variety of central-nervous-system diseases. In vitro BBB models enable to investigate how the barrier reacts to external injury events, commonly referred to as insults. Here, a human-cell-based BBB platform with integrated, transparent electrodes to monitor barrier tightness in real time at high resolution is presented.

Circuit-Based Design of Microfluidic Drop Networks.

Microfluidic-drop networks consist of several stable drops-interconnected through microfluidic channels-in which organ models can be cultured long-term. Drop networks feature a versatile configuration and an air-liquid interface (ALI). This ALI provides ample oxygenation, rapid liquid turnover, passive degassing, and liquid-phase stability through capillary pressure.

Impedance Imaging of Cells and Tissues: Design and Applications.

Due to their label-free and noninvasive nature, impedance measurements have attracted increasing interest in biological research. Advances in microfabrication and integrated-circuit technology have opened a route to using large-scale microelectrode arrays for real-time, high-spatiotemporal-resolution impedance measurements of biological samples. In this review, we discuss different methods and applications of measuring impedance for cell and tissue analysis with a focus on impedance imaging with microelectrode arrays in applications.

A Low-Power Opamp-Less Second-Order Delta-Sigma Modulator for Bioelectrical Signals in 0.18 µm CMOS.

This article reports on a compact and low-power CMOS readout circuit for bioelectrical signals based on a second-order delta-sigma modulator. The converter uses a voltage-controlled, oscillator-based quantizer, achieving second-order noise shaping with a single opamp-less integrator and minimal analog circuitry. A prototype has been implemented using 0.

A VCO-Based CMOS Readout Circuit for Capacitive MEMS Microphones.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone sensors have significantly improved in the past years, while the readout electronic is mainly implemented using switched-capacitor technology. The development of new battery powered "always-on" applications increasingly requires a low power consumption. In this paper, we show a new readout circuit approach which is based on a mostly digital Sigma Delta ( Σ Δ ) analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

SNDR Limits of Oscillator-Based Sensor Readout Circuits.

This paper analyzes the influence of phase noise and distortion on the performance of oscillator-based sensor data acquisition systems. Circuit noise inherent to the oscillator circuit manifests as phase noise and limits the SNR. Moreover, oscillator nonlinearity generates distortion for large input signals.