Methods, systems, and computer program products for neural channel selection in a multi-channel system

A system for neural channel selection in a multi-channel system, the method comprising:

• (a) a signal receiver for receiving a plurality of neural signals on a first plurality of channels;
• and
• (b) a controller operable for the following operations:
• (i) calculate criterion variable value for the neural signal on each of the channels;
• (ii) rank the channels by the criterion variable value;
• (iii) calculate mutual information between a measured output and a total population activity for the first plurality of channels;
• and
• (iv) determining a second plurality of channels that encodes a predetermined amount of the mutual information, wherein the second plurality of channels is a subset of the first plurality of channels.

A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium for performing steps comprising:

• (a) receiving a plurality of neural signals on a first plurality of channels;
• (b) calculating criterion variable value for the neural signal on each of the channels;
• (c) ranking the channels by the criterion variable value;
• (d) calculating mutual information between a measured output and a total population activity for the first plurality of channels;
• and
• (e) determining a second plurality of channels that encodes a predetermined amount of the mutual information, wherein the second plurality of channels is a subset of the first plurality of channels.