PNAS 2020 publication: wireless, battery-free subdermally implantable photometry for chronic neural dynamics.
Implantables
Subdermal Photometry Implant
PNAS wireless battery-free subdermal photometry platform for chronic neural recording; approximately 10.5 mm × 7 mm with ~27 Hz, 12-bit data streaming.
Part of Graduate Research Assistant · Gutruf Lab, University of Arizona · Dec 2018 – May 2022
completed2020ImplantablesPhotometryWireless powerNeural recording
Typepublication-backed research
SkillsPhotometry, Wireless power, Miniaturized electronics, Preclinical validation
Selected facts
Quantitative details and source-backed proof points.
Approximate platform size: 10.5 mm × 7 mm.
Readout metric: approximately 27 Hz data streaming with 12-bit resolution.
System combined optical source/detector hardware, miniaturized electronics, wireless power, flexible probe mechanics, communication, and implant packaging.
Validation emphasis: optical sensitivity, probe alignment, targeting, packaging checks, wireless reliability, and freely moving animal constraints.
Project summary
Why it exists, what I built, and what I learned.
Why I built it
Chronic neural photometry needed a fully implantable system without a tether, head-mounted hardware, battery, or percutaneous connector.
What I built
Optical source/detector hardware, miniaturized electronics, wireless power, flexible probe mechanics, communication, implant packaging, and validation workflows.
What worked
The platform connected optical readout, flexible probe placement, wireless power, and chronic packaging into a small subdermal system.
What failed
Optical sensitivity, probe alignment, packaging, targeting, and freely moving animal constraints all had to be controlled at the same time.
What I learned
Miniaturized optical implants need mechanical, optical, wireless, and surgical constraints resolved together.
Stack
Tools, systems, and technical areas involved.
Optical sensingPhotometryWireless powerFlexible probes12-bit readoutFixture validation
Links and direction
Public links and next steps.
Keep the page focused on implantable optical sensing and chronic neural-recording system integration.
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