Development of a flexible embedded neurostimulator for animal robots_Journal of Biomedical Engineering

Authors：

SU Zhenling ^1,2 , WANG Dongyun ^1,2 , QI Xiaomin ² , YANG Chenguang ^1,2 , ZHANG Yexin ^1,2 , LIU Kaige ^1,2 , QIN Yue ^1,2 ,  LIU Xinyu ²

1. School of Electronic and Information, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450007, P. R. China;
2. School of Intelligent Manufacturing, Huanghuai University, Zhumadian, Henan 463000, P. R. China;

Corresponding author：

LIU Xinyu, Email: liuxinyu@huanghuai.edu.cn

Keywords：

Neural stimulator; Animal robots; Flexible printed circuit board; Embedded; Concealment

DOI：

10.7507/1001-5515.202211030

Video：

Export PDF Favorites Scan Get Citation

Abstract Full text Figures/Tables Video References Cited by

The neural stimulator is a core component of animal robots. While the control effect of animal robots is influenced by various factors, the performance of the neural stimulator plays a decisive role in regulating animal robots. In order to optimize animal robots, embedded neural stimulators had been developed using flexible printed circuit board technology. This innovation not only enabled the stimulator to generate parameter-adjustable biphasic current pulses through control signals, but also optimized its carrying mode, material, and size, overcoming the disadvantages of traditional backpack or head-inserted stimulators, which have poor concealment and are prone to infection. Static, in vitro, and in vivo performance tests of the stimulator demonstrated that it not only had precise pulse waveform output capability, but also was lightweight and small in size. It had excellent in vivo performance in both laboratory and outdoor environments. Our study has high practical significance for the application of animal robots.

Citation： SU Zhenling, WANG Dongyun, QI Xiaomin, YANG Chenguang, ZHANG Yexin, LIU Kaige, QIN Yue, LIU Xinyu. Development of a flexible embedded neurostimulator for animal robots. Journal of Biomedical Engineering, 2023, 40(2): 327-334. doi: 10.7507/1001-5515.202211030 Copy

1.	肖远鹏, 刘新玉. 动物机器人及其潜在军事应用价值. 国防科技, 2020, 41(6): 22-27.
2.	Talwar S K, Xu S, Hawley E S, et al. Rat navigation guided by remote control. Nature, 2002, 417: 37-38.
3.	Kennedy P R, Bakay R A. Restoration of neural output from a paralyzed patient by a direct brain connection. NeuroReport, 1998, 9(8): 1707-1711.
4.	Caparros-Lefebvre D, Blond S, Vermersch P, et al. Chronic thalamic stimulation improves tremor and levodopa induced dyskinesias in Parkinson’s disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1993, 56(3): 268-273.
5.	Millard R E, Shepherd R K. A fully implantable stimulator for use in small laboratory animals. J Neurosci Methods, 2007, 166(2): 168-177.
6.	Yun S, Koh C S, Jeong J, et al. Remote-controlled fully implantable neural stimulator for freely moving small animal. Electronics, 2019, 8(6): 706.
7.	Choi G J, Jang J, Kim S, et al. A fully implantable wireless stimulation system for pigeon navigation// 2019 41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC). Berlin: IEEE, 2019: 5310-5313.
8.	Zhao K, Wan H, Shang Z G, et al. Intracortical microstimulation parameters modulate flight behavior in pigeon. J Integr Neurosci, 2019, 18(1): 23-32.
9.	Shim S, Sung J, Kim S J. An integrated circuit for biphasic pulse generator with variable parameters. J Semicond Tech Sci, 2021, 21(4): 286-291.
10.	侯文峰, 曾东颖, 敖以全. 基于柔性电路板材的PCB微钻优化. 工具技术, 2015, 49(3): 32-35.
11.	Huang A, Wang D, Liu X. A Long-range neural stimulator for pigeon-robots// 2021 IEEE 5th Advanced Information Technology, Electronic and Automation Control Conference (IAEAC). Chongqing: IEEE, 2021, 5: 2333-2337.
12.	Lee D, Jeong S H, Yun S, et al. Totally implantable enzymatic biofuel cell and brain stimulator operating in bird through wireless communication. Biosens Bioelectron, 2021, 171: 112746.
13.	Ali F, Raza W, Li X, et al. Piezoelectric energy harvesters for biomedical applications. Nano Energy, 2019, 57: 879-902.
14.	Cai L, Dai Z, Wang W, et al. Modulating motor behaviors by electrical stimulation of specific nuclei in pigeons. J Bionic Eng, 2015, 12(4): 555-564.
15.	Ye X, Wang P, Liu J, et al. A portable telemetry system for brain stimulation and neuronal activity recording in freely behaving small animals. J Neurosci Methods, 2008, 174(2): 186-193.
16.	Chen X, Xu K, Ye S, et al. A remote constant current stimulator designed for rat-robot navigation// 2013 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC). Osaka: IEEE, 2013: 2168-2171.
17.	Yang J, Huai R, Wang H, et al. A robo-pigeon based on an innovative multi-mode telestimulation system. Biomed Mater Eng, 2015, 26(s1): S357-S363.
18.	Uluşan H, Chamanian S, Ilik B, et al. Fully implantable cochlear implant interface electronics with 51. 2-μW front-end circuit. IEEE Trans Very Large Scale Integr (VLSI) Syst, 2019, 27(7): 1504-1512.
19.	Uluşan H, Chamanian S, Zorlu Ö, et al. Neural stimulation interface with ultra-low power signal conditioning circuit for fully-implantable cochlear implants// 2017 IEEE Biomedical Circuits and Systems Conference (BioCAS). Turin: IEEE, 2017: 1-4.
20.	Abiri P, Abiri A, Packard R R S, et al. Inductively powered wireless pacing via a miniature pacemaker and remote stimulation control system. Sci Rep, 2017, 7(1): 1-10.

1. 肖远鹏, 刘新玉. 动物机器人及其潜在军事应用价值. 国防科技, 2020, 41(6): 22-27.
2. Talwar S K, Xu S, Hawley E S, et al. Rat navigation guided by remote control. Nature, 2002, 417: 37-38.
3. Kennedy P R, Bakay R A. Restoration of neural output from a paralyzed patient by a direct brain connection. NeuroReport, 1998, 9(8): 1707-1711.
4. Caparros-Lefebvre D, Blond S, Vermersch P, et al. Chronic thalamic stimulation improves tremor and levodopa induced dyskinesias in Parkinson’s disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 1993, 56(3): 268-273.
5. Millard R E, Shepherd R K. A fully implantable stimulator for use in small laboratory animals. J Neurosci Methods, 2007, 166(2): 168-177.
6. Yun S, Koh C S, Jeong J, et al. Remote-controlled fully implantable neural stimulator for freely moving small animal. Electronics, 2019, 8(6): 706.
7. Choi G J, Jang J, Kim S, et al. A fully implantable wireless stimulation system for pigeon navigation// 2019 41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC). Berlin: IEEE, 2019: 5310-5313.
8. Zhao K, Wan H, Shang Z G, et al. Intracortical microstimulation parameters modulate flight behavior in pigeon. J Integr Neurosci, 2019, 18(1): 23-32.
9. Shim S, Sung J, Kim S J. An integrated circuit for biphasic pulse generator with variable parameters. J Semicond Tech Sci, 2021, 21(4): 286-291.
10. 侯文峰, 曾东颖, 敖以全. 基于柔性电路板材的PCB微钻优化. 工具技术, 2015, 49(3): 32-35.
11. Huang A, Wang D, Liu X. A Long-range neural stimulator for pigeon-robots// 2021 IEEE 5th Advanced Information Technology, Electronic and Automation Control Conference (IAEAC). Chongqing: IEEE, 2021, 5: 2333-2337.
12. Lee D, Jeong S H, Yun S, et al. Totally implantable enzymatic biofuel cell and brain stimulator operating in bird through wireless communication. Biosens Bioelectron, 2021, 171: 112746.
13. Ali F, Raza W, Li X, et al. Piezoelectric energy harvesters for biomedical applications. Nano Energy, 2019, 57: 879-902.
14. Cai L, Dai Z, Wang W, et al. Modulating motor behaviors by electrical stimulation of specific nuclei in pigeons. J Bionic Eng, 2015, 12(4): 555-564.
15. Ye X, Wang P, Liu J, et al. A portable telemetry system for brain stimulation and neuronal activity recording in freely behaving small animals. J Neurosci Methods, 2008, 174(2): 186-193.
16. Chen X, Xu K, Ye S, et al. A remote constant current stimulator designed for rat-robot navigation// 2013 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC). Osaka: IEEE, 2013: 2168-2171.
17. Yang J, Huai R, Wang H, et al. A robo-pigeon based on an innovative multi-mode telestimulation system. Biomed Mater Eng, 2015, 26(s1): S357-S363.
18. Uluşan H, Chamanian S, Ilik B, et al. Fully implantable cochlear implant interface electronics with 51. 2-μW front-end circuit. IEEE Trans Very Large Scale Integr (VLSI) Syst, 2019, 27(7): 1504-1512.
19. Uluşan H, Chamanian S, Zorlu Ö, et al. Neural stimulation interface with ultra-low power signal conditioning circuit for fully-implantable cochlear implants// 2017 IEEE Biomedical Circuits and Systems Conference (BioCAS). Turin: IEEE, 2017: 1-4.
20. Abiri P, Abiri A, Packard R R S, et al. Inductively powered wireless pacing via a miniature pacemaker and remote stimulation control system. Sci Rep, 2017, 7(1): 1-10.

Journal of Biomedical Engineering

Development of a flexible embedded neurostimulator for animal robots

Abstract Full text Figures/Tables Video References Cited by

Previous Article

Next Article

Format

Content