A remote constant current stimulator designed for rat-robot navigation

In this paper, a remote stimulator is developed for rat-robot navigation based on the technique of Brain-Computer-Interface (BCI). The stimulator can output constant current from 0 to 1000 μA, which overcome several shortages of our previous constant voltage stimulator. The constant current stimulator consists of four major components, including power supply, micro control unit (MCU), constant current source and bluetooth transceiver for downloading stimulation commands. The stimulator has a weight of about 20g and size of 32mm*25mm*6mm. It has five channels of stimulation, which are connected with implanted microelectrodes in rat brain. The electrical parameters were characterized on three rats with different recovery time after brain surgery. Increasing current stimulations were applied on the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (dlPAG) area to prove the effect of current stimulation on rat behavior.

[1]  Xiaoxiang Zheng,et al.  A portable telemetry system for brain stimulation and neuronal activity recording in freely behaving small animals , 2008, Journal of Neuroscience Methods.

[2]  A B Schwartz,et al.  Motor cortical representation of speed and direction during reaching. , 1999, Journal of neurophysiology.

[3]  Wang Yong.  A Telemetry Navigation System for Animal-robots , 2006 .

[4]  Lei Li,et al.  A multi-channel telemetry system for brain microstimulation in freely roaming animals , 2004, Journal of Neuroscience Methods.

[5]  J. B. Ranck,et al.  Which elements are excited in electrical stimulation of mammalian central nervous system: A review , 1975, Brain Research.

[6]  Kui Yuan,et al.  A remote controlled multimode micro-stimulator for freely moving animals. , 2006, Sheng li xue bao : [Acta physiologica Sinica].

[7]  Isao Shimoyama,et al.  Locomotion control of a bio-robotic system via electric stimulation , 1997, Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robot and Systems. Innovative Robotics for Real-World Applications. IROS '97.

[8]  Miguel A. L. Nicolelis,et al.  Brain–machine interfaces to restore motor function and probe neural circuits , 2003, Nature Reviews Neuroscience.

[9]  Y. Bae,et al.  Operant conditioning of rat navigation using electrical stimulation for directional cues and rewards , 2010, Behavioural Processes.

[10]  Peng Wang,et al.  A remote control training system for rat navigation in complicated environment , 2007 .