A low-cost neurostimulator with accurate pulsed-current control

Author

De Lima, Jader A. ; Cordeiro, Adriano S.

Author_Institution

Electr. Eng. Dept., Univ. Estadual Paulista, Guaratingueta, Brazil

Volume

49

Issue

5

fYear

2002

fDate

5/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

497

Lastpage

500

Abstract

A constant-current stimulator for high-impedance loads using only low-cost standard high-voltage components is presented. A voltage-regulator powers an oscillator built across the primary of a step-up transformer whose secondary supplies, after rectification, the high voltage to a switched current-mirror in the driving stage. Adjusting the regulated voltage controls the pulsed-current intensity. A prototype produces stimulus of amplitude and pulsewidth within 0 ≤ I_skin ≤ 20 mA and 50 μs ≤ T_pulse ≤ 1 ms, respectively. Pulse-repetition spans from 1 Hz to 10 Hz. Worst case ripple is 3.7% at I_skin = 1 mA. Overall consumption is 5.6 W at I_skin = 20 mA.

Keywords

biocontrol; constant current sources; electric current control; neuromuscular stimulation; prosthetic power supplies; voltage regulators; 20 mA; 5.6 W; accurate pulsed-current control; amplitude stimulus; constant-current stimulator; driving stage; functional neuromuscular stimulation; high voltage; high-impedance loads; low-cost neurostimulator; low-cost standard high-voltage components; oscillator; primary; pulse-repetition; pulsed-current intensity; pulsewidth; rectification; regulated voltage; secondary; step-up transformer; switched current-mirror; voltage-regulator; worst case ripple; Electrodes; Instruments; Nervous system; Prototypes; Pulse transformers; Rectifiers; Skin; Very large scale integration; Voltage control; Voltage-controlled oscillators; Equipment Design; Humans; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Biomedical Engineering, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9294

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/10.995689

Filename

995689