Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Implantable stimulator featuring multiple programs, adjustable stimulation amplitude and bi-directional communication for implantation in mice

  • Technical Note
  • Published:
Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We describe an implantable stimulator with adjustable output amplitude and bi-directional communication at a size of approximately 1 cm3. The user selects from preset patterns of stimulation and adjusts the stimulation amplitude by sending coded flashes of light, and receives active confirmation of the chosen settings via a powerful LED in the device. These characteristics allow selectivity of motor nerve stimulation and minimize unwanted excitation of adjacent structures. For example, stimulation of dorsiflexors can be achieved in mice without stimulation of plantarflexors. The device can deliver constant frequency stimulation as well as burst-like stimulation patterns with adjustable ON/OFF times. A lifetime of at least 4 weeks of stimulation at an average frequency of 40 Hz can be achieved. The device was built from standard surface mount components and encapsulated with biocompatible silicone rubber. The use of modern microelectronics allowed us to develop a versatile and highly customizable miniature stimulator.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

References

  1. Analog Devices (2004) Datasheet AD53x1. Analog devices

  2. Brown J, Salmons S (1981) Percutaneous control of an implantable muscle stimulator via an optical link. J Biomed Eng 3:206–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Cadsoft Computer GmbH (1988–2006) EAGLE. CadSoft Computer GmbH

  4. Donaldson PE (1989) Encapsulating microelectronic implants in one-part silicone rubbers. Med Biol Eng Comput 27(1):93–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Donaldson PE (1991) Aspects of silicone rubber as an encapsulant for neurological prostheses. Part 1. Osmosis. Med Biol Eng Comput 29(1):34–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Donaldson PE (1995) Aspects of silicone rubber as encapsulant for neurological prostheses. Part 3: adhesion to mixed oxides. Med Biol Eng Comput 33(5):725–727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Donaldson PE, Aylett BJ (1995) Aspects of silicone rubber as encapsulant for neurological prostheses. Part 2: adhesion to binary oxides. Med Biol Eng Comput 33(3):289–292

    Google Scholar 

  8. Donaldson P E (1997) Aspects of silicone rubber as encapsulant for neurological prostheses. Part 4: two-part rubbers. Med Biol Eng Comput 35(3):283–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Jarvis J C, Salmons S (1991) A family of neuromuscular stimulators with optical transcutaneous control. J Med Eng Technol 15(2):53–57

    Google Scholar 

  10. Jarvis J C, Salmons S (2001) The application and technology of implantable neuromuscular stimulators: an introduction and overview. Med Eng Phys 23(1):3–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Lanmuller H, Bijak M, Mayr W et al (1997) Useful applications and limits of battery powered implants in functional electrical stimulations. Artif Organs 21(3):210–212

    Google Scholar 

  12. Mela P, Veltink PH, Huijing PA et al (2002) The optimal stimulation pattern for skeletal muscle is dependent on muscle length. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 10(2):85–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Microchip Technology Inc (2002–2005) MPLAB-IDE. Microchip Technology Inc

  14. Microchip Technology Inc. (2004) Datasheet PIC 12F635

  15. Philips Semiconductors (2000) The I2C-bus specification, v2.1. Philips

  16. Ratkevicius A, Quistorff B (2002) Metabolic costs of force generation for constant-frequency and catchlike-inducing electrical stimulation in human tibialis anterior muscle. Muscle Nerve 25(3):419–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Renata (2001) CR1220 Datasheet, Renata

  18. Salmons S (1967) An implantable muscle stimulator. J Physiol 188(2):13P–14P

    Google Scholar 

  19. Salmons S, Gunning GT, Taylor I et al (2001) ASIC or PIC? Implantable stimulators based on semi-custom CMOS technology or low-power microcontroller architecture. Med Eng Phys 23(1):37–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Sutherland H, Jarvis JC, Kwende MM et al (1998) The dose-related response of rabbit fast muscle to long-term low-frequency stimulation. Muscle Nerve 21(12):1632–1646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Thil MA, Gerard B, Jarvis JC et al (2005) Two-way communication for programming and measurement in a miniature implantable stimulator. Med Biol Eng Comput 43(4):528–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the European Commission as part of the human resources program “NeuralPro-neural prostheses” (HPRN-CT-2000-00030).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Liverpool, Ashton Street, L69 3GE, Liverpool, UK

    Michael Russold & Jonathan C. Jarvis

  2. School of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, East Street, Lidcombe, NSW, 1825, Australia

    Michael Russold

Authors
  1. Michael Russold
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jonathan C. Jarvis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Russold.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Russold, M., Jarvis, J.C. Implantable stimulator featuring multiple programs, adjustable stimulation amplitude and bi-directional communication for implantation in mice. Med Bio Eng Comput 45, 695–699 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0190-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0190-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation