Title :
A High-Voltage Bipolar Transconductance Amplifier for Electrotactile Stimulation
Author :
Schaning, Matthew A. ; Kaczmarek, Kurt A.
Author_Institution :
Wisconsin Univ., Madison, WI
Abstract :
This paper describes a high-performance transconductance amplifier specifically designed for electrotactile (electrocutaneous) stimulation. It enables voltages up to plusmn600 V to be produced at the output that will allow the psychophysiological performance associated with stimulation of the fingertip using various stimulation waveforms to be studied more thoroughly. The design has a transconductance of up to 20 mA/V, an 8.8-MOmega output resistance, and can provide output currents up to plusmn20 mA. A complete schematic diagram is presented along with a discussion of theory of operation and safety issues as well as performance and derating plots from the implemented design.
Keywords :
bioelectric phenomena; biomedical equipment; skin; touch (physiological); bipolar transconductance amplifier; electrotactile stimulation; psychophysiology; resistance 8.8 Mohm; Circuits; Impedance; Laboratories; Pulse amplifiers; Pulsed power supplies; Safety; Semiconductor devices; Skin; Transconductance; Voltage; Current control; electrocutaneous; electrotactile; transconductance amplifier (TA); Amplifiers, Electronic; Electric Capacitance; Electric Impedance; Electric Stimulation; Electrodes; Equipment Design; Feedback; Fingers; Galvanic Skin Response; Humans; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Touch;
Journal_Title :
Biomedical Engineering, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TBME.2008.926675
