Title :
Method of locating ultrasound-powered nerve stimulators
Author :
Gulick, Daniel W. ; Towe, Bruce C.
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Health & Biol. Syst. Eng., Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ, USA
fDate :
Aug. 28 2012-Sept. 1 2012
Abstract :
We have previously shown a small simple ultrasound-powered nerve stimulator. The piezoelectric implant receives power from an external driving ultrasound transducer. Focusing the ultrasound beam improves power transfer efficiency, but the implant location must be known to aim the focus. We show that currents driven by the stimulator might be detectable on the skin. By scanning the ultrasound focus and measuring the electrical response, we form an image of the implant location. This could give a feedback signal for aiming the beam, and allow multichannel addressing of several stimulators with no added circuitry in the implant.
Keywords :
neurophysiology; patient treatment; piezoelectric devices; prosthetics; ultrasonic focusing; ultrasonic transducers; piezoelectric implant; power transfer efficiency; ultrasound beam focusing; ultrasound-powered nerve stimulators; Electrodes; Implants; Phantoms; Receivers; Skin; Transducers; Ultrasonic imaging; Animals; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Electrodes, Implanted; Humans; Models, Biological; Peripheral Nerves; Sound;
Conference_Titel :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC), 2012 Annual International Conference of the IEEE
Conference_Location :
San Diego, CA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-4119-8
Electronic_ISBN :
1557-170X
DOI :
10.1109/EMBC.2012.6346074