Multiplexed active biologic array

A biological electrode array assembly formed on an integrated circuit chip, said biological electrode array assembly comprising:

• a plurality of rows of biological electrode sites, wherein each row is coupled to a distinct row line;
• a plurality of columns of biological electrode sites, wherein each column is coupled to a distinct column line;
• a driving element coupled to each of the biological electrode sites for delivering an electrical stimulus to each biological electrode site;
• and
• a local memory coupled to said driving element for each of the biological electrode sites for storing signal information corresponding to the magnitude of the electrical stimulus that is to be applied to each site.

A method of selectively controlling the electrical characteristics of individual electrode sites in an array arranged in rows and columns, the method comprising the steps of:

• addressing at least one electrode site in the array;
• storing signal information corresponding to the electrical characteristics of the at least one addressed electrode site at a sample-and-hold circuit coupled with each addressed electrode site;
• and
• driving each electrical site via a driving element in response to said stored signal information.

A method of controlling the electrical characteristics of individual electrode sites in an array arranged in rows and columns, the method comprising the steps of:

• addressing a first group of electrode sites within the array, the first group of electrode sites addressed via a plurality of column select lines and row select lines;
• storing first signal information corresponding to the electrical characteristics of the first group of addressed electrode sites at a sample-and-hold circuit coupled with each addressed electrode site;
• driving each electrode site within the first group via individual driving elements in response to said stored first signal information;
• addressing a second group of electrode sites within the array, the second group of electrode sites addressed via said plurality of column select lines and row select lines;
• storing second signal information corresponding to the electrical characteristics of the second group of addressed electrode sites at a sample-and-hold circuit coupled with each addressed electrode site;
• and
• driving each electrode site within the second group via individual driving elements in response to said stored second signal information.

A method of selectively controlling the electrical characteristics of an array of individual electrode sites arranged in rows and columns through the use of a column select line, a row select line, and a signal line, the method comprising the steps of:

• addressing a first group of electrode sites via said column select line and said row select line;
• sending first group signal information via said signal line to the first group of electrode sites, said first group of signal information being stored at a sample-and-hold circuit coupled to each electrode site within the first group;
• driving each electrode site within the first group via a driving element in response to the stored first group of signal information;
• addressing a next group of electrode sites via said column select line and said row select line;
• sending next group signal information via said signal line to the next group of electrode sites, said next group of signal information being stored at a sample-and-hold circuit coupled to each electrode site within the next group;
• and
• driving each electrode site within the next group via a driving element in response to the stored next group of signal information.

A method of selectively controlling the electrical voltages of individual electrode sites in an array arranged in rows and columns, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing binary values within a memory, said binary values representing voltages to be applied at the various electrode sites;
• addressing at least one electrode site within the array;
• retrieving the binary value from the memory for each addressed electrode site;
• converting the binary value to a voltage stored in a sample-and-hold circuit for each addressed electrode site;
• and
• driving each electrode site via a driving element in response to the stored voltage.

A method of selectively controlling the electrical voltages of individual electrode sites in an array arranged in rows and columns, the method comprising the steps of:

• storing binary values within a memory, said binary values representing voltages to be applied at the various electrode sites;
• addressing at least one electrode site within the array;
• retrieving the binary value from the memory for each addressed electrode site;
• storing a voltage signal in a local memory, the voltage signal corresponding to the binary values stored in the memory;
• and
• driving each electrode site via a driving element in response to the stored voltage signal in the local memory.