A transcutaneous power and data link for neuroprosthetic applications

The design of a functional cortical neuroprosthesis for restoration of lost sensory or motor function could be based on electrical stimulation of a specific region o f sensory or motor cortex. In order to stimulate the cortex, electrical currents above some threshold level have to be passed through individual microelectrodes of an electrode array implanted in the cortex. Power transfer to such a prosthesis in order to provide required currents to the implanted microelectrodes using an efficient and reliable telemetry system may be a better alternative to the standard percutaneous connection system. As an integral part o f a visual prosthesis which we are currently developing, a telemetry link has been designed using printed thin film coils that achieves overall efficiencies of 18-22%.