title: 3D-printed wearable backpack stimulator for chronic in vivo aquatic stimulation.
abstract: The neural mechanisms underlying changes in gene expression in the interconversion between skeletal muscle and the non-contractile electrogenic cells of the electric organ in electric fishes require several days to be manifested. It is extremely challenging to study these non-immediate forms of plasticity in reduced preparations in cell culture due to the time requirements. To address this experimental obstacle we developed a 3D-printed wearable backpack that allows chronic electrical stimulation of aquatic teleost fish. The backpack holds a biphasic simulator using a full H-bridge driver structure. Stimulation amplitude is adjusted with a current source controlled by a micro potentiometer whereas the stimulation waveform is reconfigurable through a micro-controller. A 3.7 V Lithium Ion Polymer battery powers the entire circuit. This backpack system will allow underwater chronic stimulation experiments aimed to study the role that neuronal input exerts on cell phenotypes in a vertebrate species with high tissue regeneration and cell trans-differentiation capabilities.
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Unguez
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duran
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Valles-Rosales
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D023702:Gymnotiformes / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary