Electrotactile stimulator for artificial proprioception.
With the goal of investigating artificial proprioception elicited by electrical stimulation, we have developed a tactile phi phenomenon-based stimulator. This two-channel microprocessed pulse amplitude modulation system generates two different envelope waveforms (triangular and elliptical) and allows programming and visualizing of its main parameters: pulse with (0.1-10 ms), pulse frequency (0.1-10 kHz), modulation frequency (0.3-10 Hz), current intensity (up to 20 mA), and the amplitude modulation index (0-100%). In vivo experiments with 5 normal persons have shown that it is possible to elicit a moving fused phantom image with good resolution. A triangular envelope is good for straight line sensations while the elliptical one is more comfortable and has better resolution for all kinds of moving images.
Nohama
P
P
Department of Informatics, Paraná Pontifical Catholic University, Brazil.
Lopes
A V
AV
Cliquet Júnior
A
A
D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D011434:Proprioception; D012682:Sensory Aids