Focused recording and stimulation electrode array

Abstract

Neural signal recording apparatus and method is described, in which a micro electrode array is utilized for performing a weighted matrix as a moving window providing superpositioning of electrode signals. A voltage distribution across the electrode array is determined as a Laplacian. The apparatus and method can be utilized in a variety of electrode sensing applications involving registering neural activity, and for electrode stimulation applications, or combinations thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for registering neural activity using a micro electrode array, the method comprising:
 (a) determining a weighting matrix, which spans multiple electrode positions in a window surrounding a center electrode position, for a micro electrode array based on electrode configuration;   (b) collecting neural signals from the micro electrode array;   (c) applying the weighting matrix to collected neural signals to generate a superposition signal for the center electrode and its boundary area of recording power density;   (d) moving the window of the weighting matrix for different center electrode positions within the micro electrode array; and   (e) registering neural activity for multiple electrodes in the micro electrode array to which said weighting matrix is applied in the moving window.   
     
     
         2 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises performing neural stimulation while providing selectable current density distribution controlled by stimulation weighting of the weighting matrix. 
     
     
         3 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein said boundary area is based on half power radius. 
     
     
         4 . The method recited in  claim 3 , wherein signals arising from underneath an electrode are considered as signal power and evaluated, while signals outside of that region are considered as noise power and discarded. 
     
     
         5 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein electrode configurations are determined in response to electrode size and electrode pitch. 
     
     
         6 . The method recited in  claim 5 , wherein electrode configurations are further determined in response to signal source depth, or medium conductivity, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method recited in  claim 5 , wherein electrode configurations are further determined in response to desired spatial resolutions. 
     
     
         8 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the weighting matrix is two dimensional or three dimensional. 
     
     
         9 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the micro electrode array provides adjustable spatial resolution of each electrode. 
     
     
         10 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein registering of neural activity is selected from the group of neural activity registration consisting of EEG, ECoG, EMG, ECG, and registration of neural spikes. 
     
     
         11 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the micro electrode array is configured for use in electrode arrays of two-dimensions or three-dimensions to provide full volume mapping. 
     
     
         12 . The method recited in  claim 1 , further comprising optimizing selection of a moving-window operator when performing a weighting matrix as a moving window. 
     
     
         13 . The method recited in  claim 1 , further comprising optimizing weighting based on maximizing signal underneath an electrode and minimizing the signal from out-of-the-electrode area, thereby increasing signal-to-noise ratio.