A Review on Technological Requirements for Ultrasound Image-Guided Neuromodulation Application-Specific Integrated Circuits
Diogo Dias (Nova University of Lisbon)
Tiago Costa (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)
João Goes (Nova University of Lisbon)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
Neuromodulation has advanced from pharmacological approaches to various stimulation techniques targeting the nervous system, including electrical, magnetic, and optogenetic methods. While these offer precise control, they pose challenges such as invasiveness and surgical risks. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) emerges as a noninvasive option for modulating deep brain activity. However, issues such as skull attenuation and tissue temperature rise remain obstacles. Implantable FUS (iFUS) systems aim to enhance targeting precision but require integrated imaging and real-time monitoring. Recent innovations in diagnostic ultrasound technology show promise as alternatives to traditional MRI for focal spot localization and identification, enabling monitoring of neuro-modulatory effects via functional ultrasound imaging. This work reviews safety and operational requirements for image-guided LIFUS, while contextualizing them within the integrated systems specifications. Additionally, it examines existing application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for ultrasound-on-chip (UoC) systems and the required functionalities and performance that enable the development of safe wearable and implantable devices.