Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Enhanced Surface Electrical Neurostimulation (Esens): A Non-Invasive Platform For Peripheral Neuromodulation, Andres Eduardo Pena

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electrical stimulation of peripheral afferents has been used to study the sensory neural code and restore lost sensory function after amputation. Recently, implantable neural interfaces have prompted multiple breakthroughs in artificial somatosensory feedback for individuals with amputation, resulting in functional and psychological benefits. Although promising, the invasive nature of these approaches limits wide clinical applications, hindering the development of advanced neuromodulation strategies for intuitive sensory feedback. Transcutaneous (surface) stimulation is a potential non-invasive alternative. However, traditional surface stimulation methods are hampered by inadequate electrode and stimulation parameter fitting, localized discomfort, poor selectivity, and limited percept modulation.

An enhanced surface electrical …

Investigation Of A Neuro-Stimulator Retrieved Posthumously, Megan Markl, Rodney J. Gutherie, Tarun Goswami

Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering Faculty Publications

A neurostimulator was investigated in this paper posthumously. Device was presented to our anatomical gift program. Investigation was multi-fold and contained visual inspection, using an optical microscope, and mechanical and electrical testing of leads and its insulator. It was concluded that the device could have been damaged during implantation, in vivo, during removal, and/or during transportation to author’s laboratories. The damage observed on the lead insulation is similar to that which can occur due to anchoring of the lead and hardening due to oxidation. Insulation stiffness was determined to be 1/10 of new insulator. The results reported here on the …

Characterization Of The 2-Phase Turning Response Of Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Biobots To Antennal Stimulation, Stefanie Jane Panzenhagen

Graduate Theses - Biology & Biomedical Engineering

Biobots are living insects that are controlled via neurostimulation applied through implanted electrodes and have a variety of potential applications such as search and rescue operations. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (MHCs) are commonly used as biobots; however, their use remains under investigation due to lack of a comprehensive motion profile in response to neurostimulation, which makes consistent control a challenge. MHC biobots often exhibit a 2-phase turning response to antennal stimulation, with an initial turn (primary) in the desired direction followed by a “corrective” turn (secondary) in the undesired direction. The purpose of this research is to characterize the 2-phase turning …

Eeg Characterization During Motor Tasks That Are Difficult For Movement Disorder Patients, Adam Joshua Aslam

Master's Theses

Movement disorders are a group of syndromes that often arise due to neurological abnormalities. Approximately 40 million Americans are affected by some form of movement disorder, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life and their ability to live independently. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is one treatment that has shown promising results in the past couple decades, however, the currently used open-loop system has several drawbacks. By implementing a closed-loop or adaptive DBS (aDBS) system, the need for expensive parameter reprogramming sessions would be reduced, side-effects may be relieved, and habituation could be avoided. Several biomarkers, for example signals or activity derived …

The Effect Of Neurostimulation On Ischemic Pain And Methods Of Assessing Pain, Kaylee Keck

Biomedical Engineering

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) impacts approximately eight million people in the United States [1]. Disease progression leads to chronic ischemic pain, hindering quality of life. Pharmaceuticals are a typical treatment for pain associated with PAD; but as few as 30% of patients have a significant reduction of pain (≥50%) [2].

Neurostimulation is commonly used as a treatment for various diseases and injuries, including Parkinson’s disease and sports-related back and knee injuries [2]. The objective of the study was to explore neurostimulation and its effect on pain and paresthesia for a model of acute peripheral ischemia in young college students.

Pain …

The Effects Of Transcutaneous Electrical Neurostimulation On Analgesia And Peripheral Perfusion, Leah I. Schafer

Master's Theses

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) affects 8 to 12 million Americans over the age of 50. As the disease progresses, arterial occlusions arising from atherosclerotic lesions inhibit normal metabolic vasodilation in the peripheries, resulting in limb ischemia and claudication. Pharmacological and surgical treatments currently used to treat both the hemodynamic and pain symptoms associated with PAOD can involve adverse and potentially life-threatening side effects. Thus, there is a need for additional innovative therapies for PAOD.

Neurostimulation has a known analgesic effect on both acute and chronic pain. Although the exact mechanisms remain under investigation, local vascular tone may be modulated …

Investigating Hemodynamic Responses To Electrical Neurostimulation, Sean Youra

Master's Theses

Since the 1900s, the number of deaths attributable to cardiovascular disease has steadily risen. With the advent of antihypertensive drugs and non-invasive surgical procedures, such as intravascular stenting, these numbers have begun to level off. Despite this trend, the number of patients diagnosed with some form of cardiovascular disease has only increased. By 2030, prevalence of coronary heart disease is expected to increase approximately by 18% in the United States. By 2050, prevalence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease is expected to increase approximately by 98% in the U.S. No single drug or surgical intervention offers a complete solution to these …

The Effect Of Neurostimulation On Blood Flow And Ischemic Pain, Stacey M. Fishman

Biomedical Engineering

Chronic pain caused by lack of blood flow is known as ischemic pain. Neurostimulation, the application of electrical currents through a region of the body, is effective for pain modulation, and it is hypothesized that this can be explained by the gate control theory and alterations of the sympathetic output initiated by the metaboreflex. The decrease of sympathetic output reduces vasoconstriction and improves blood flow. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential currents (IFC) stimulation, both non-invasive neurostimulation techniques, were evaluated for their effects on cutaneous blood flow on the palm. High or low frequency TENS and/or IFC, and the …

Utilizing Fast Spin Echo Mri To Reduce Image Artifacts And Improve Implant/Tissue Interface Detection In Refractory Parkinson’S Patients With Deep Brain Stimulators, Subhendra N. Sarkar, Pooja R. Sarkar, Efstathios Papavassiliou, Rafael Rojas

Publications and Research

Introduction. In medically refractory Parkinson’s disease (PD) deep-brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapeutic tool. Postimplantation MRI is important in assessing tissue damage and DBS lead placement accuracy. We wanted to identify which MRI sequence can detectDBS leads with smallest artifactual signal void, allowing better tissue/electrode edge conspicuity.

Methods. Using an IRB approved protocol 8 advanced PDpatientswere imagedwithinMRconditional safety guidelines at lowRF power (SAR ≤ 0.1 W/kg) in coronal plane at 1.5T by various sequences.The image slices were subjectively evaluated for diagnostic quality and the lead contact diameters were compared to identify a sequence least affected by metallic leads.

Results …