title: Application of infrared light for in vivo neural stimulation.
abstract: A novel method for damage-free, artifact-free stimulation of neural tissue using pulsed, low-energy infrared laser light is presented. Optical stimulation elicits compound nerve and muscle potentials similar to responses obtained with conventional electrical neural stimulation in a rat sciatic nerve model. Stimulation and damage thresholds were determined as a function of wavelength using a tunable free electron laser source (lambda = 2 to 10 microm) and a solid state holmium:YAG laser (lambda = 2.12 microm). Threshold radiant exposure required for stimulation varies with wavelength from 0.312 Jcm2 (lambda = 3 microm) to 1.22 Jcm2 (lambda = 2.1 microm). Histological analysis indicates no discernable thermal damage with suprathreshold stimulation. The largest damage/stimulation threshold ratios (>6) were at wavelengths corresponding to valleys in the IR spectrum of soft tissue absorption (4 and 2.1 microm). Furthermore, optical stimulation can be used to generate a spatially selective response in small fascicles of the sciatic nerve that has significant advantages (e.g., noncontact, spatial resolution, lack of stimulation artifact) over conventional electrical methods in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in neuroscience, neurology, and neurosurgery.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Box 351631, Station B, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: E Duco
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Konrad
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahadevan-Jansen
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000818:Animals; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*