In-vitro validation of a closed-loop optogenetic stimulation device.

Closed-loop optogenetic stimulation (CLOS) involves real-time neural data collection and analysis, feedback control, and optical neuromodulation. Despite emergence of the CLOS devices, methods for validating such devices in-vitro are limited. This paper presents a CLOS device and introduces an in-vitro setup for validating CLOS devices. The CLOS device consists of an electrode, a neural detector, a control algorithm, and an optogenetic stimulator. The in-vitro setup consists of saline solution, a neural signal emitter, a photodiode and its amplifier, and a closed-loop simulation program. Synthetic neural signals are delivered to the CLOS device, and based on the sensed optical stimulations from the light source, the properties of the delivered neural signals are changed. Experiments are conducted to evaluate the closed-loop operation of the CLOS device, and verify the capability of the in-vitro setup to for validating the CLOS devices. The in-vitro setup enables refinement of CLOS devices before arduous in-vivo trials.