Ultra High Channel Count Neurophysiology

1024-channel data acquisition system
FPGA Hardware Architecture
UI & Data Visualization
ASIC Design
GUI Development
Willow

Overview

"Willow reduced per-channel cost by an order of magnitude compared to what had been commercially available." –Ed Boyden
"Willow reduced per-channel cost by an order of magnitude compared to what had been commercially available." –Ed Boyden
Many aspects of neuroscience are data-starved because of technological bottlenecks. LeafLabs is overcoming this challenge by eliminating these bottlenecks at every stage of the pipeline. Willow is the first product developed from the collaboration of LeafLabs and SNG: the 1024-channel data node is designed to be modular, one-tenth the cost per channel of existing systems, and scalable. The data node contains an FPGA that processes 1024 channels of electrophysiological data by communicating concurrently with as many as 32 industry-standard neural amplifier chips. The raw, wide-band data is written directly to a storage drive by the FPGA, while simultaneously being forwarded to a computer for real-time feedback and monitoring by the user.
microscope image of probes
microscope image of probes
Willow

The Challenge

The brain is tremendously complex, and uncovering its secrets requires huge amounts of high-resolution data. No adequate commercial systems existed to record from the probe’s 1,000 channels.
The brain is tremendously complex, and uncovering its secrets requires huge amounts of high-resolution data. No adequate commercial systems existed to record from the probe’s 1,000 channels.
single Willow probe
single Willow probe
single Willow probe
image of 1024 channel Willow probe
image of 1024 channel Willow probe
image of 1024 channel Willow probe
image of Brian Allen in the lab
image of Brian Allen in the lab
image of Brian Allen in the lab
This program required true full stack product development, including FPGA Hardware Architecture, ASIC Design, GUI Development, Product Development, Experimentation, Data Visualization, Vivarium Engagement, and more.
This program required true full stack product development, including FPGA Hardware Architecture, ASIC Design, GUI Development, Product Development, Experimentation, Data Visualization, Vivarium Engagement, and more.
Willow

The Solution

Many aspects of neuroscience are data-starved because of technological bottlenecks. LeafLabs is overcoming this challenge by eliminating these bottlenecks at every stage of the pipeline. Willow is the first product developed from the collaboration of LeafLabs and SNG: the 1024-channel data node is designed to be modular, one-tenth the cost per channel of existing systems, and scalable.
Many aspects of neuroscience are data-starved because of technological bottlenecks. LeafLabs is overcoming this challenge by eliminating these bottlenecks at every stage of the pipeline. Willow is the first product developed from the collaboration of LeafLabs and SNG: the 1024-channel data node is designed to be modular, one-tenth the cost per channel of existing systems, and scalable.
catkin and gray mouse skulls
catkin and gray mouse skulls
catkin and gray mouse skulls

FPGA Hardware Architecture ASIC Design GUI Development Product Development Experimentation Data Visualization Vivarium Engagement

Willow

Performance Results

The Synthetic Neurobiology Group was able to record high channel count experiments. SNG now uses the Willow system routinely to record high channel count experiments. Through this collaboration, LeafLabs has become a critical resource for Dr. Boyden and his research in developing new tools for neuroscience.
The Synthetic Neurobiology Group was able to record high channel count experiments. SNG now uses the Willow system routinely to record high channel count experiments. Through this collaboration, LeafLabs has become a critical resource for Dr. Boyden and his research in developing new tools for neuroscience.
Simultaneous Channels
Simultaneous Channels

1024 channels from 32 amplifiers

800
800
800
Noise Reduction
Noise Reduction

Previously unusable data became usable.

4X
4X
4X
Pilot Studies
Pilot Studies

Across top institutions

3
3
3

The Willow System has been involved in pilot studies with MIT, Brandeis, UCSF, Harvard, Columbia and Novartis.

Willow

Publications & Info


Murray Carpenter. "Glut of data from mice brains tests MIT’s computing power". Boston Globe. January 31, 2016.

Jörg Scholvin, et al. “Close-Packed Silicon Microelectrodes for Scalable Spatially Oversampled Neural Recording.” EEEI Xplore Digital Library, 24 February 2015.

Justin P. Kinney, et al. “A direct-to-drive neural data acquisition system.” Frontiers in Neural Circuits, 01 September 2015.

JP Kinney, J Bernstein, J Scholvin, C Moore-Kochlacs, N Kopell, E Boyden. In vivo experimental testing of scalable 3-d microfabricated electrode array neural recording in mammalian brain. Program No. 659.05. 2014 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2014. Online.

C. Moore-Kochlacs, J Scholvin, JP Kinney, JG Bernstein, YG Yoon, SK Arfin, N Kopell, ES Boyden. Principles of high–fidelity, high–density 3–d neural recording. Program No. 873.03. 2013 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2013. Online.

C. Moore-Kochlacs, JP Kinney, JG Bernstein, SK Arfin, J Scholvin, N Kopell, ES Boyden. Spike sorting for spatially dense high channel count extracellular recordings. Program No. 208.19. 2012 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2012. Online.

To learn more visit scalablephysiology.org maintained by the MIT Synthetic Neural Group.

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