Download - Development of an Infrared Nerve Stimulator
Development of an Infrared Nerve Stimulator
Greg Wigger, Chris Tedder, and Melanie Gault
Advised by:Dr. Duco Jansen, Ph.D.
The Problem
Current prosthetic limbs cannot mimic the fine tuned movements of human limbs.
Creates a need for a reliable stimulation modality to gain better control over neural signals.
Current prosthetic limbs do not fully replace function of native limbs
Overview of Neural Stimulation The nervous system controls our bodily
functions, decision making, emotions, and more
Neural information is transmitted via action potentials (APs)
APs travel down the nerve until reaches its target
APs propagate due to the opening and closing of gated sodium-ion and potassium-ion channels
Electrical stimulation opens voltage gated channels to cause neural activation
Infrared neural stimulation induces neural activity through an unknown mechanism
Current Solution: Electrical Stimulation
Gold standard for neural stimulation
Easily controllable parameters (current, voltage, repetition rate)
Spatially specific in contrast to other forms of stimulation including chemical and mechanical stimulation.
Cardiac Pacemaker
Cochlear Implant
Spinal Implant
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Our Solution: Infrared Stimulation
Infrared StimulationSame advantages as electrical
stimulation, but: Less damaging to nerve Artifact free Spatially selective
Electrical StimulationHas fundamental shortcomings that
create a need for an alternative Contact can cause permanent damage
to nerve Stimulation artifact Hard to selectively stimulate
Rat Sciatic Nerve
Electrical Stimulator
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0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
CM
AP
(V)
Rat Sciatic Nerve
Electrical Stimulator
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05
10
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
CM
AP
(V)
Fiber Coupled Laser
Rat Sciatic Nerve-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
CM
AP
(V)
-0.1
0
0.1
0.2
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
CM
AP
(V)
Fiber Coupled Laser
Optical Fiber
Group ObjectiveDevelop an infrared nerve stimulator
containing optical fibers running parallel to the nerve fibers Create a single fiber prototype Create a four fiber prototype embedded in
a cuff to be wrapped around entire nerve bundle
Two models will be tested:
Fiber with angled mirror
Fiber polished at 45 degree angle
Past Work
Research of nerve stimulation techniques Electrical stimulation Infrared stimulation
Ordered supplies for prototype Steep tubing, mirrors, optical
fibers, plastic tubing Testing of Ho:YAG laser
80 to 100mJ with 960V power supply
Current Work
Further testing of laser output Attaining an optic fiber polisher Training for animal studies through
IACUC Begin building side-firing prototypes
Future Work
Polishing fibers (flat and 45˚) Biomaterial of the nerve cuff
Research Biocompatibility and optical testing of PDMS
Proof-of-concept experimentation of side-firing with animal studies
Nerve cuff design Adjustable circumference Locking device Positioning of optic fibers