Abstract: A front-end device is arranged to amplify an electric signal from an associated sensor, e.g. for amplifying an electric signal from a neural activity sensor. The front-end device has an amplifier circuit connected between its input and output terminals (Vin, Vout), wherein the amplifier circuit comprises a capacitive-coupled chopper circuit comprising a first gain element and first, second and third chopper switches arranged for operating at a chopper frequency. Further, the amplifier circuit has A) an impedance boosting auxiliary path connected to the input terminal in parallel with a first chopper switch of the CCC, wherein the impedance boosting auxiliary path comprises a pre-charging buffer, and B) a second gain element connected in a feedback path of the CCC. Such front-end device has high input impedance, and the input impedance is uncorrelated with the gain. It is highly suited for implantable micro devices, e.g. brain dusts.

Abstract: A method for combined PET/MR imaging performs a PET/MR scan using a PET/MR scanner. During the scan a frame is reconstructed and co-registered with a reference frame. The reference frame is dynamically updated throughout the PET/MR scan by incorporating most recently co-registered images from previously reconstructed frames.

Abstract: System and a method for detecting corrosion or cracks in a metal structure embedded in concrete. Piezoelectric transducers are arranged for contact with the metal structure embedded in the concrete: an electronic circuit generate an electric test signal for the piezoelectric transducers and receives an electric return signal from the piezoelectric transducers. The electronic circuit comprises an analysis circuit for analysing the electric return signal and for storing the result of the analysis until the results can be communicated to an external device.

Abstract: A micro device, such as a brain dust, is arranged for implantation into biological tissue. A power management unit receives a wireless signal, e.g. an ultrasonic signal, from an external source and generates an electric power output accordingly. The micro device has a plurality of electrical power consuming components powered by the electric power output, especially comprising one or more controllable light sources, e.g. micro LEDs which can be controlled to generate light in a time-varying manner, such as for optogenetics or for optical release of a drug. To increase power efficiency, an electric regulator circuit regulates electric current applied to the controllable light source to provide a predetermined total electric load of the power management unit. This provides an optimal efficiency of transferring power to the plurality of electrical power consuming components with a minimal requirement of volume of the circuit which provides impedance matching for optimal efficiency.

Abstract: A three-layer brain-computer interface system includes at least one external device, a plurality of second devices implanted on the surface of the cortex of a subject's brain and a plurality of micro devices implanted deeper within the brain. The external device provides power to the second devices and receives data from the second devices. The second devices include data and power receiving/transmission means and sensors, such as for electrocorticography, and provide power and data to the micro devices, such as ultrasound data and power transmission. The micro devices include sensor means and micro LEDS for measuring electric, chemical or other brain signals and provide brain stimulus through micro LEDs or other stimulating means, such as electric or chemical stimulation. The micro devices also receive and transmit data to and from the second devices. The system provides an energy efficient wireless measuring and stimulus system for implantation in the brain tissue.

Abstract: An implantable micro device, or dust, has a piezoelectric transducer connected to a power management circuit, which provides electric power output for powering components of the device based on an ultrasonic power signal from an external ultrasonic signal source. A sensor measures a physical parameter, e.g. a neural activity signal, and generates an electric signal, digitized by a time-encoding analog-to-digital converter, e.g. a delta-sigma modulator, to generate a one-bit data stream representing the sensed parameter. A load modulation circuit with one or more electric switches connected to the transducer modulates transducer electric load according to the one-bit data stream, thus causing a backscattered signal from the piezoelectric transducer to be modulated by the sensed physical parameter.

Abstract: A a front-end device is arranged to amplify an electric signal from an associated sensor, e.g. for amplifying an electric signal from a neural activity sensor. The front-end device has an amplifier circuit connected between its input and output terminals (Vin, Vout), wherein the amplifier circuit comprises a capacitive-coupled chopper circuit comprising a first gain element and first, second and third chopper switches arranged for operating at a chopper frequency. Further, the amplifier circuit has A) an impedance boosting auxiliary path connected to the input terminal in parallel with a first chopper switch of the CCC, wherein the impedance boosting auxiliary path comprises a pre-charging buffer, and B) a second gain element connected in a feedback path of the CCC. Such front-end device has high input impedance, and the input impedance is uncorrelated with the gain. It is highly suited for implantable micro devices, e.g. brain dusts.