Gui Qiang

A novel linear microprobe array for the fabrication of neural microelectrodes

A novel linear microprobe array (LMPA) has been developed by a conventional microfabrication method from silicon. The LMPA leverages the properties of conventional microwire with additional features of naturally formed regular spacing. With the help of periodic microprobe arrays and double-side V-grooves fabricated in advance between each pair of the two microprobes’ rear ends, the number of microprobe units for assembly in one array can be flexibly chosen by cleavage fracture from the LMPA. The fabrication method was demonstrated and the prototype device was assessed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and in vivo test. The SNR of the spikes recorded was 6.

Dry Electrode Based Wearable Wireless Brain–Computer Interface System

Brain–computer interface (BCI) technology is a key issue in neural engineering, which can manipulate machine by electroencephalography (EEG). An important question surrounding the use of the BCI is the design of a wearable electroencephalography recording and processing equipment. We report the design and fabrication of a novel system based on dry electrodes, in which skin preparation and application of electrolytic gel are not required. In this study, an EEG-based BCI system, which includes a wireless transmitter module and an receiver module was designed, EEG is acquired using dry electrodes, amplified and processed by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and transmitted to the receiver by RF chip. The BCI system can obtain the subject’s degree of concentration, and those trained subjects have the ability of controlling the machine by changing their EEG signals. A experiment that controlling a toy car using the BCI system is successfully performed. The wearable transmitter module weighs 39 g only and easy to wear. The transmitter consumes 60 mW of dc power and generates an output power of 0 dBm. The BCI system is suitable for long-term EEG monitoring in users’ daily life. This system is feasible for further extension.