A pulse generation circuit for studyingwaveform effects on neurostimulation

Electrical stimulation technology has advanced from cardiac pacemakers towards cochlear implants, physical rehabilitation, and treatment for Parkinson’s and other diseases. Electrical stimulation parameters, such as waveform, amplitude, and stimulation frequency, have been shown to affect neurostimulation properties. However, the effect of signal time rate of change on electrical stimulation applications has not been studied, and there are no stimulators that specifically allow the study of these effects. A novel pulse generator circuit is presented and characterized. An analytical expression is derived from the circuit, that allows for the design of pulse parameters, such as maximum amplitude voltage, time for peak amplitude, and stimulation duration. The analytical expression is verified to match design values and measurements in an electrical model and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. The circuit is shown to operate at variable output stimulation frequencies, and an expression is derived in order to determine the limit of the output stimulation frequency. The pulse generation circuit is thought to be the first dedicated output pulse generator for research of the effect of signal time rate of change on electrical stimulation applications such as neurostimulation