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Utilizing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Study the Human Neuromuscular System
12:19

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Published on: January 20, 2012

Universal serial bus powered and controlled isolated constant-current physiological stimulator.

Mark R Holcomb1, Robel Y Bekele, Eduardo A Lima

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA.

The Review of Scientific Instruments
|January 7, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A new USB-powered stimulator offers a cost-effective solution for physiological research, delivering high currents and customizable stimulation patterns for diverse experimental needs.

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Area of Science:

  • Physiological research
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Electrical stimulation

Background:

  • Current physiological stimulators can be expensive and complex.
  • There is a need for versatile and affordable stimulation devices in research and education.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a compact, isolated, constant-current stimulator powered and controlled via USB.
  • To create a cost-effective alternative to commercial stimulators for ex vivo experiments and other applications.

Main Methods:

  • The stimulator utilizes a single high-voltage DC-to-DC converter to achieve high current output (up to 100 mA).
  • It allows for user-specified variable parameters (period, magnitude, duration) for complex monophasic or biphasic stimulation sequences.
  • Integration is facilitated through hardware or software for seamless incorporation into existing setups.

Main Results:

  • The developed stimulator is compact, isolated, and USB-powered, offering significant cost and feature advantages.
  • It can produce high currents suitable for various physiological experiments.
  • The device supports flexible and complex stimulation patterns.

Conclusions:

  • This USB-controlled stimulator provides a powerful, versatile, and economical tool for physiological research.
  • Its design facilitates easy integration and customization, making it suitable for both research and student laboratories.