Investigation of electrodes as bidirectional human machine interface for neuro-technical control of prostheses [Elektronische Ressource] / Thilo B. Krüger

Investigation of Electrodes as Bidirectional Human Machine Interface for Neuro-Technical Control of Prostheses Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Technischen Fakultät der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau Dipl.-Ing. Thilo B. Krüger 2009 Laboratory for Biomedical Microtechnology Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) University of Freiburg Georges-Koehler-Allee 102 79110 Freiburg Germany Author Dipl.-Ing. Thilo B. Krüger Page Title Schematic of different afferent stimuli, automatically decoded Dean: Prof. Dr. H. Zappe 1. Referee: Prof. Dr. T. Stieglitz 2. Referee: Prof. Dr. G. Bretthauer Chairman: Prof. Dr. G. Paul Assessor: Prof. Dr. G. Urban thDate of the examination: 16 November 2009 Abstract Neuroprostheses have found their place in the field of medically untreatable neuronal diseases and in neural rehabilitation to replace lost sensory or motor functions. Often available neuroprostheses provide only the possibility of a forward control without a feedback for the patient. The pursuit of this PhD is to establish a bidirectional link between man and machine. Electrodes are the main component of a neuro-interface and they are researched in their behavior and possible optimization. All necessary components of a bidirectional interface are identified as peripheral nerve, contacting electrodes, analog electric circuitry and digital processing units.