ABSTRACT
New regulations for medical products complicate research projects for new application fields and translation of innovative product ideas to refundable medical products becomes a high economic risk. All this demands for a CE-marked platform, which offers the possibility to access the recorded data online or even directly the hardware during research applications, to bridge the gap. This paper describes how a CE-marked medical product can be extended by different interfaces to enable basic research or simplify first proof-of-concept studies thus optimizing prototype development in research projects, simplifying the documentation process and reducing the risk for market access.
Subject(s)
Equipment and SuppliesABSTRACT
Neural activation by infrared nerve stimulation (INS) gains growing interest as a potential alternative to conventional electric nerve stimulation, since unambiguous advantages like contact-free operation, enhanced spatial selectivity and lack of (electrical) stimulation artifacts are promising for both future electrophysiological research and clinical application. For the systematic investigation of laser nerve activation, we recently introduced a novel experimental approach. Comprising a defined focused beam profile, it enables remote controlled, contact-free pulsed laser stimulation of the rat sciatic nerve, simultaneous to high-speed temperature measurement in vivo. Up to now, successful neural activation with single laser pulses (2 - 6 mJ) was observed in all performed experiments, however, it strongly depended on the particular nerve location. Hence, we depict the investigation of spatial dependency of the nerve response and identify `regions of excitability' on the nerve surface, that are highly susceptible to INS. By means of thermal imaging, we simultaneously monitored the nerve surface temperature, where we observed progressing temperature build-up during single pulse stimulation with repetition rates above 4 Hz. In this work, we present current results of our ongoing research.
Subject(s)
Infrared Rays , Lasers , Sciatic Nerve/radiation effects , Animals , Electric Stimulation , RatsABSTRACT
In the present work, a simple low noise amplifier system with relatively few components for the recording of peripheral nerve signals via electrodes, such as cuff electrodes, was developed. The amplifier system was developed with the aid of a computer-aided characterization tool, which allowed the characterization of bioelectric signal amplifiers and the identification of system parameters. Three commercially available amplifier systems were investigated with this tool regarding their technical parameters. In addition, peripheral sensory nerve mass signals were analyzed to validate the target specifications for the amplifier to be designed with regard to amplitude and frequency range. An amplifier was designed and developed according to these specifications, characterized in comparison to the commercial amplifiers, and successfully applied in pilot experiments on the sciatic nerve in a rat animal model.
Subject(s)
Action Potentials/physiology , Electrodiagnosis/instrumentation , Electronics/instrumentation , Sciatic Nerve/physiology , Touch/physiology , Animals , Computer-Aided Design , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis , Peripheral Nerves/physiology , Rats , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
We present a Human Computer Interface (HCI) which can be prepared in less than five minutes and reaches a high accuracy with naïve users. With additional learning the success rate increases drastically. Using the EOG for control of a cursor we show how the interface between man and machine can be established quickly. Off the shelf hardware components were used for the setup, including an already approved amplifier for human use. The graphical user interface with optical and acoustical feedback consisted of self developed software. With the proposed interface we reached a maximum bit rate of 57.7 bit/min with untrained users.
Subject(s)
Acoustics , User-Computer Interface , Adolescent , Adult , Artificial Intelligence , Behavior , Computer Graphics , Computer Peripherals , Computers , Equipment Design , Feedback , Female , Humans , Software , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Considerable scientific and technological efforts have been devoted to develop neuroprostheses and hybrid bionic systems that link the human nervous system with electronic or robotic prostheses, with the main aim of restoring motor and sensory functions in disabled patients. A number of neuroprostheses use interfaces with peripheral nerves or muscles for neuromuscular stimulation and signal recording. Herein, we provide a critical overview of the peripheral interfaces available and trace their use from research to clinical application in controlling artificial and robotic prostheses. The first section reviews the different types of non-invasive and invasive electrodes, which include surface and muscular electrodes that can record EMG signals from and stimulate the underlying or implanted muscles. Extraneural electrodes, such as cuff and epineurial electrodes, provide simultaneous interface with many axons in the nerve, whereas intrafascicular, penetrating, and regenerative electrodes may contact small groups of axons within a nerve fascicle. Biological, technological, and material science issues are also reviewed relative to the problems of electrode design and tissue injury. The last section reviews different strategies for the use of information recorded from peripheral interfaces and the current state of control neuroprostheses and hybrid bionic systems.
