Welcome Message from the General Chairs

Abstract

Implantable technologies have had major impacts in many medical fields such as cardiology (pacemakers, defibrillators, stents), sensory prosthesis (cochlear implant, retinal prosthesis) and treatment of diseases or impairments (Parkinson’s, diabetes). During the past decade revolutionary advances have entered the field of neuroscience/neurological disorders and their treatment (e.g. deep brain stimulators for Parkinson’s and seizure) and therapeutic treatments of limbs (upper and lower limb prosthesis). The cutting edge is the development of neuroprosthesis: namely building various interfaces to nerves, spinal cord and brain to control impaired limbs or prosthesis. This talk will review medical problems and exciting research opportunities for engineers to develop cutting edge technological solutions: MEMS electrodes, ultra low power VLSI circuits, wireless power and data transfer and power harvesting. While these technologies are essential, critical success will only come through complete integration of technology with the nervous system, and testing in vivo from animal models to humans. Two examples from our own will be discussed: neural prosthesis for control of prosthetic limb and bidirectional neural interface for nerves. Talk will conclude with the current status and challenges in the field of Brain Machine Interface.