Title :
A mechanical skin stimulator for cutaneous sensitivity studies
Author :
Smith, S.W. ; Ramirez, M.R.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Biomed. Eng., Izaak Walton Killam Children´´s Hosp., Halifax, NS, Canada
Abstract :
The authors have developed a mechanical skin stimulator prototype that consistently administers and records accurate amounts of mechanical force stimulus for cutaneous sensitivity studies. The stimulator can be used to mechanically apply a range of innocuous or noxious stimulation intensities for neurophysiological and psychophysical pain research. The mechanical stimulator can be described as a portable, microprocessor controlled linear force servo actuator
Keywords :
biological techniques; biomechanics; computerised instrumentation; mechanoception; neurophysiology; servomechanisms; skin; cutaneous sensitivity studies; innocuous stimulation intensity; mechanical force stimulus; mechanical skin stimulator; neurophysiological pain research; noxious stimulation intensity; portable microprocessor controlled linear force servo actuator; psychophysical pain research; Communication system control; Electromyography; Force control; Hydraulic actuators; Microcomputers; Pain; Probes; Prototypes; Skin; User interfaces;
Conference_Titel :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1995., IEEE 17th Annual Conference
Conference_Location :
Montreal, Que.
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-2475-7
DOI :
10.1109/IEMBS.1995.579847
