Design and Analysis of Electrodes for Electrostimulation (TENS) Using the Technique of Film Printing and Embroidery in Textiles

This article describes the development of transcutaneous nerve stimulating electrodes (TENS) by means of electrically conductive ink and conductive yarn. The scope of work covered a selection of three types of knitwear with a similar surface weight with different raw material composition. Stimulating electrodes were made by means of film printing and machine embroidery. The electrodes were verified after friction tests, washing, and mechanical deformation. Each process was followed by a check of the resistive properties and assessment of the sensations in order to evaluate their performance. Tests of the surface resistance of research materials confirmed the possibility of preparing textile electrodes for electrostimulation with the use of the film-printing technique and machine embroidery. Resistance of the electrodes made on all types of substrates ranged from approximately 1.00 × 10−2 Ω to around 2.00 × 102 Ω, while the electrodes are commercially available at the level of approximately 3.5 × 105 Ω. This paper underpins the validation of the conclusion that operational processes do not adversely affect the functioning of the developed textile electrodes.

Novel intraoperative online functional mapping of somatosensory finger representations for targeted stimulating electrode placement: technical note

Defining eloquent cortex intraoperatively, traditionally performed by neurosurgeons to preserve patient function, can now help target electrode implantation for restoring function. Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) have the potential to restore upper-limb motor control to paralyzed patients but require accurate placement of recording and stimulating electrodes to enable functional control of a prosthetic limb. Beyond motor decoding from recording arrays, precise placement of stimulating electrodes in cortical areas associated with finger and fingertip sensations allows for the delivery of sensory feedback that could improve dexterous control of prosthetic hands. In this study, the authors demonstrated the use of a novel intraoperative online functional mapping (OFM) technique with high-density electrocorticography to localize finger representations in human primary somatosensory cortex. In conjunction with traditional pre- and intraoperative targeting approaches, this technique enabled accurate implantation of stimulating microelectrodes, which was confirmed by postimplantation intracortical stimulation of finger and fingertip sensations. This work demonstrates the utility of intraoperative OFM and will inform future studies of closed-loop BMIs in humans.

Novel intraoperative online functional mapping of somatosensory finger representations for targeted stimulating electrode placement

Defining eloquent cortex intraoperatively, traditionally performed by neurosurgeons to preserve patient function, can now help target electrode implantation for restoring function. Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) have the potential to restore upper-limb motor control to paralyzed patients but require accurate placement of recording and stimulating electrodes to enable functional control of a prosthetic limb. Beyond motor decoding from recording arrays, precise placement of stimulating electrodes in cortical areas associated with finger and fingertip sensations allows for the delivery of sensory feedback that could improve dexterous control of prosthetic hands. In our study, we demonstrated the use of a novel intraoperative online functional mapping (OFM) technique with high-density electrocorticography (ECoG) to localize finger representations in human primary somatosensory cortex. In conjunction with traditional pre- and intraoperative targeting approaches, this technique enabled accurate implantation of stimulating microelectrodes, which was confirmed by post-implantation intra-cortical stimulation of finger and fingertip sensations. This work demonstrates the utility of intraoperative OFM and will inform future studies of closed-loop BMIs in humans.

Device review: Pulsante™ sphenopalatine ganglion microstimulator

Cluster headache (CH) is a primary headache disorder. The use of neuromodulation in treatment of CH is well documented. The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) has long been a target for management of CH. Intervention at the level of the SPG can interrupt the trigemino-autonomic reflex, which mediates CH pain. The Pulsante system is the only device on the market created for SPG stimulation. The Pulsante device consists of the device body, a lead with six stimulating electrodes placed in the pterygopalatine fossa, and a fixation plate to allow anchoring of the device to the maxilla. Stimulation is administered via a patient-controlled handheld remote control held over the cheek. SPG stimulation is an important treatment option for CH patients.

Assessing the motivational effects of ethanol in mice using a discrete-trial current-intensity intracranial self-stimulation procedure

BackgroundAlcohol (ethanol) produces both rewarding and aversive effects, and sensitivity to these effects is associated with risk for an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Measurement of these motivational effects in animal models is an important but challenging aspect of preclinical research into the neurobiology of AUD. Here, we evaluated whether a discrete-trial current-intensity intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure can be used to assess both reward-enhancing and aversive responses to ethanol in mice.MethodsC57BL/6J mice were surgically implanted with bipolar stimulating electrodes targeting the medial forebrain bundle and trained on a discrete-trial current-intensity ICSS procedure. Mice were tested for changes in response thresholds after various doses of ethanol (0.5 g/kg-1.75 g/kg), using a Latin square design.ResultsA 1 g/kg dose of ethanol produced a significant reward-enhancement (i.e., lowered response thresholds), whereas a 1.75 g/kg dose produced an aversive effect (elevated response thresholds).ConclusionsThe discrete-trial current-intensity ICSS procedure is an effective assay for measuring both reward-enhancing responses to ethanol as well as aversive responses in the same animal. This should prove to be a useful tool for assessing the effects of experimental manipulations on the motivational effects of ethanol in mice.

Effects of Habenular Stimulation Frequencies on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Induced by Stimulation of Insular Cortex

Objective. To investigate the effects of high-frequency stimulation of the habenula (Hb) on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) induced by stimulation of the insular cortexMethod. After OSA was induced by stimulating the insular cortex (Ic) with concentric stimulating electrodes at 100 Hz in rats, the Hb was stimulated at different frequencies (50 Hz, 120 Hz, 130 Hz, and 280 Hz). The changes of apnea events and electromyography (EMG) of the genioglossus were compared before and after stimulation of the Hb.Results. With stimulation of the Ic at 100 Hz, apnea events were successfully induced with disappearance of EMG of the genioglossus. After stimulation of the Hb at 130 Hz, apnea events disappeared with significantly increased genioglossal EMG. However, such a change failed to be found at the stimulation frequencies of 50 Hz, 120 Hz, and 280 Hz.Conclusion. Stimulation of the Hb at the frequency of 130 Hz could effectively inhibit OSA events induced by stimulation of the Ic.