Abstract

Transcranial current stimulation (tCS) is an experimental brain stimulation treatment that appears to show potential in both treating impairments and improving functional memory. Due to its recent advent and lack of FDA approval, most commercially available tCS platforms are relatively simple and lack real-time capabilities, making experimentation involving closed-loop control systems impossible. This work seeks to remedy this issue by creating a “real-time transcranial current stimulation platform” (RTtCS) that seeks to allow real-time signal generation and improve upon the capabilities of contemporary platforms. The device constructed is able to operate in four modes: as an arbitrary waveform generator, a reference current tracker, a pulse generator and a square wave generator. Each mode was thoroughly tested across both a resistor modelling the impedance of a human head and across the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles of the leg with success observed in both contexts. Promising preliminary results were also gathered in the viability of a closed-loop control system using an EEG in conjunction with the stimulator.

Document Type

Article

Author's School

McKelvey School of Engineering

Author's Department

Electrical and Systems Engineering

Class Name

Electrical and Systems Engineering Undergraduate Research

Date of Submission

4-29-2022

Share

COinS