• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.292-301
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• 2010

To restore visual sensation of blind patients, we have proposed a fully implantable retinal prosthesis comprising an three dimensionally (3D) stacked retinal chip for transforming optical signal to electrical signal, a flexible cable with stimulus electrode array for stimulating retina cells, and coupling coils for power transmission. The 3D stacked retinal chip is consisted of several LSI chips such as photodetector, signal processing circuit, and stimulus current generator. They are vertically stacked and electrically connected using 3D integration technology. Our retinal prosthesis has a small size and lightweight with high resolution, therefore it could increase the patients` quality of life (QOL). For realizing the fully implantable retinal prosthesis, we developed a retinal prosthesis module comprising a retinal prosthesis chip and a flexible cable with stimulus electrode array for generating optimal stimulus current. In this study, we used a 2D retinal chip as a prototype retinal prosthesis chip. We fabricated the polymide-based flexible cable of $20{\mu}m$ thickness where 16 channels Pt stimulus electrode array was formed in the cable. Pt electrode has an impedance of $9.9k{\Omega}$ at 400Hz frequency. The retinal prosthesis chip was mounted on the flexible cable by an epoxy and electrically connected by Au wire. The retinal prosthesis chip was cappted by a silicone to pretect from corrosive environments in an eyeball. Then, the fabricated retinal prosthesis module was implanted into an eyeball of a rabbit. We successfully recorded electrically evoked potential (EEP) elicited from the rabbit brain by the current stimulation supplied from the implanted retinal prosthesis module. EEP amplitude was increased linearly with illumination intensity and irradiation time of incident light. The retinal prosthesis chip was well functioned after implanting into the eyeball of the rabbit.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.235-242
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• 2016

A system for measuring the electrodermal activity (EDA) signal occurring at the sweat glands in the left palm and left finger of the human body was implemented in this study. The EDA measurement system (EDAMS) consisted of an algometer, a biopotential measurement system (BPMS), and a PC. Two experiments were performed to evaluate the function and clinical applicability of EDAMS. First, an experiment was carried out on the linearity of the voltage and the pressure that comprised the output signals of the algometer used for applying a pressure stimulus. Second, the amplitude of the EDA signal acquired from the electrode attached to the left palm or finger was measured while increasing the pressure stimulus of the algometer. When the pressure stimulus of the algometer applied to the left scapula was increased, the amplitude of the EDA signal increased. The amplitude of the EDA signal at the left palm was observed to be greater than that at the left finger. The amplitude of the EDA signal was observed to increase in a relatively linear relation with the intensity of the pressure stimuli. In addition, the latency of the EDA signal acquired from the electrode attached to the left palm or finger was measured while increasing the pressure stimulus of the algometer. When the pressure stimulus of the algometer applied to the left scapula was increased, the latency of the EDA signal decreased. The latency of the EDA signal at the palm was observed to be less than that at the finger. The latency of the EDA signal was observed to decrease nonlinearly with the pressure stimuli.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.108-115
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• 1997

The alcoholic neuropathies developed in approximately 34% of chronic alcoholics and the sexual dysfunction had been experienced in 8-54% of male alcoholics(Schiavi 1990). The aims of this study were to identify the prevalence of subclinical polyneuropathies and sexual disorders in alcohol dependence, and to evaluate the association between them. The nerve conduction velocity(NCV), electromyography(EMG), and pudendal somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs) were tested for the male alcoholics(N=34) and controls(N=17 for NCV & EMG, N=25 for pudendal SEPs). The pudendal SEPs were measured by the following procedures, in which we stimulated the dorsal nerve of penis attached by the ring electrode(stimulus intensity, three times of threshold : stimulus rate, 1-4.7Hz : stimulus duration, 0.1 or 0.2msec), and recorded at the scalp(active electrode, 2cm behind Cz : reference electrode, Fz). The NCV and EMG detected signs of peripheral neuropathies in 79.4% of alcoholics. Among the alcoholics, 64.7% were abnormal on the pudendal SEPs. Among the alcoholics who revealed abnormality on EMG and NCV, 81.4% were abnormal on the pudendal SEPs, in which 51.9% were not responded. The P1 latencies of pudendal SEPs on neuropathic alcoholics were significantly delayed(p<0.05) than non-neuropathic alcoholics. There was a relative correlation between peripheral neuropathies and sexual disorders in the alcoholics. The prevalence of subclinical neuropathies and sexual disorders seemed to be much higher in alcohol dependence than expectation, and these two problems were relatively correlated, and our results suggested that the peripheral polyneuropathies were one of the prerequisites of sexual disorders.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.22-31
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• 2003

Conventional stimulus patterns have used DC for discrimination of acupoint and meridian which is the basic object of diagnosis and medical treatment in oriental medicine. Those discriminate conduction points by stimulation on body skin with DC. But, it is insufficient to reliability in discrimination ratio, coincident ratio, body effect, reproductivity. Therefore, this paper has extracted the optimal parameter of frequency and waveform in order to improve conventional pattern, and proposed the SPAC(Single Power Alternative Current) stimulus pattern applying that. Also, We proposes algorithm which is able to discriminate with low pressure of the electrode by displaying in the level meter both the absolution and relation value of the skin current. It can decrease pain and body effect by electrode pressure and discriminate acupoint regardless of skin current in difficult discrimination spot. We have compared the performance of system applying the extracted optimal parameter and algorithm. We have compared discrimination, coincident ratio of both conduction point and traditional acupoints by acupoint stimulation pattern. In the results, we confirmed reliability of SPAC stimulus pattern.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.9-13
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• 1997

The present study was designed to develop the functional electrical stimulation system in order to restore motor function of paralytic patients. We attempt to establish adequate stimulus parameters for the recovery of work unction in lower limb paralysis patients and to develop the electrical stimulation system, which is effective to protect foot drop in these patients. In our animal and human experiment, adequate stimulus condition for surface electrode on the lower limb were 0.2-0.3ms at the duration and 50 Hz, which contain 600Hz train pulse. This parameter has efficiently prevented the foot drop from lower limb paralysis, decreased muscle fatigue and induced powerful contraction of lower limb muscle.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.2029-2037
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect the interferential current (IFC) stimulation level according to autonomic nerve system (ANS) of healthy adults. IFC measured with adhesive 2-pole electrodes pad on T1~T4 spinal cord segment level that electrode stimulation of 20 min after. A total of 45 healthy adults participated in the study, who were randomly divided into three groups: 15 of sensory level stimulus group (100 bps, 10~12 mA), 15 of exercise level stimulus group (5 bps, 45~50 mA), 15 of noxious level stimulus group (100 bps, 80~90 mA). Measured items were sympathetic activity and parasympathetic activity. In order to identify the changes in measurement variables before electrode stimulation and after and 30 min stimulation. The comparison of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity in each group revealed that they was changes of after vs 30 min in after electrical stimulation time(p<.05).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 1998

The purpose of present study was to compare the effects of somatostatin (SOM) and morphine (Mor) on the responses of wide dynamic range (WDR) cells to peripheral noxious stimulation. Single neuronal activity was recorded with a carbon-filament electrode at the lumbosacral enlargement of cat spinal cord. After identifying WDR cells, their responses to peripheral noxious mechanical or thermal stimuli were characterized and the effects of SOM and Mor, applied either iontophoretically or intrathecally, were studied. In most cells SOM and Mor suppressed noxious stimulus-evoked WDR neuronal activity, though a few WDR neurons showed no change or were excited by SOM and Mor. Systemically applied naloxone, a non-specific opioid antagonist, always reversed the Mor induced suppression of neuronal activity evoked by noxious mechanical stimuli, but did not always reverse the suppression of neuronal activity elicited by SOM. The suppressive effect of Mor on thermal stimulus-evoked neuronal activity was partially reversed by naloxone, while that of SOM were not reversed at all. The above results suggest that both Mor and SOM exert an inhibitory effect on thermal and mechanical stimulus-evoked WDR neuronal activity in cat spinal dorsal horn, but the mechanisms are dependent upon the functional populations of dorsal horn nociceptive neurons.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in sympathetic nervous system responses of healthy adult women with changes in stimulus intensity of high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Methods: Twenty-four healthy subjects (women) received high frequency electrical stimulation of the forearm. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups; a low intensity stimulation group (n=12) and a high intensity stimulation group (n=12). The electrode attachment was arranged on the forearm of the dominant arm and the electricity stimulus time was 20 minutes. Measured items included skin conductance, pulse rate, skin temperature, and respiration rate. Each was measured at 4 times. Results: Skin conductance and skin temperature showed significant group by time interactions, though there were no significant group and time effects. There were no significant differences according to time, group effect, and a group by time interaction in pulse and respiration rates. Conclusion: High frequency and high intensity electrical stimulation may be helpful for the improvement of sudomotor function through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Also, high frequency and low intensity electrical stimulation may be helpful for the reduction of sudomotor function via inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: There is growing interest in the use of the Level-specific (LS) CE-Chirp^® stimulus in auditory brainstem response (ABR) due to its ability to produce prominent ABR waves with robust amplitudes. There are no known studies that investigate the test-retest reliability of the ABR to the LS CE-Chirp^® stimulus. The present study aims to investigate the test-retest reliability of the ABR to the LS CE-Chirp^® stimulus and compare its reliability with the ABR to standard click stimulus at multiple intensity levels in normal-hearing adults. Subjects and Methods: Eleven normal-hearing adults participated. The ABR test was repeated twice in the same clinical session and conducted again in another session. The ABR was acquired using both the click and LS CE-Chirp^® stimuli at 4 presentation levels (80, 60, 40, and 20 dBnHL). Only the right ear was tested using the ipsilateral electrode montage. The reliability of the ABR findings (amplitudes and latencies) to the click and LS CE-Chirp^® stimuli within the same clinical session and between the two clinical sessions was calculated using an intra-class correlation coefficient analysis (ICC). Results: The results showed a significant correlation of the ABR findings (amplitude and latencies) to both stimuli within the same session and between the clinical sessions. The ICC values ranged from moderate to excellent. Conclusions: The ABR results from both the LS CE-Chirp^® and click stimuli were consistent and reliable over the two clinical sessions suggesting that both stimuli can be used for neurological diagnoses with the same reliability.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: There is growing interest in the use of the Level-specific (LS) CE-Chirp^® stimulus in auditory brainstem response (ABR) due to its ability to produce prominent ABR waves with robust amplitudes. There are no known studies that investigate the test-retest reliability of the ABR to the LS CE-Chirp^® stimulus. The present study aims to investigate the test-retest reliability of the ABR to the LS CE-Chirp^® stimulus and compare its reliability with the ABR to standard click stimulus at multiple intensity levels in normal-hearing adults. Subjects and Methods: Eleven normal-hearing adults participated. The ABR test was repeated twice in the same clinical session and conducted again in another session. The ABR was acquired using both the click and LS CE-Chirp^® stimuli at 4 presentation levels (80, 60, 40, and 20 dBnHL). Only the right ear was tested using the ipsilateral electrode montage. The reliability of the ABR findings (amplitudes and latencies) to the click and LS CE-Chirp^® stimuli within the same clinical session and between the two clinical sessions was calculated using an intra-class correlation coefficient analysis (ICC). Results: The results showed a significant correlation of the ABR findings (amplitude and latencies) to both stimuli within the same session and between the clinical sessions. The ICC values ranged from moderate to excellent. Conclusions: The ABR results from both the LS CE-Chirp^® and click stimuli were consistent and reliable over the two clinical sessions suggesting that both stimuli can be used for neurological diagnoses with the same reliability.