Application of infrared light for in vivo neural stimulation

A novel method for damage-free, artifact-free stimulation of neural tissue using pulsed, low-energy infrared laser light is presented. Optical stimulation elicits compound nerve and muscle potentials similar to responses obtained with conventional electrical neural stimulation in a rat sciatic nerve...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of biomedical optics 2005-11, Vol.10 (6), p.064003-64003
Main Authors: Wells, Jonathon, Kao, Chris, Jansen, E Duco, Konrad, Peter, Mahadevan-Jansen, Anita
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action Potentials - physiology
Action Potentials - radiation effects
Animals
Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Infrared Rays - adverse effects
Infrared Rays - therapeutic use
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Muscle Contraction - radiation effects
Radiation Dosage
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Sciatic Nerve - cytology
Sciatic Nerve - physiology
Sciatic Nerve - radiation effects
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Summary:A novel method for damage-free, artifact-free stimulation of neural tissue using pulsed, low-energy infrared laser light is presented. Optical stimulation elicits compound nerve and muscle potentials similar to responses obtained with conventional electrical neural stimulation in a rat sciatic nerve model. Stimulation and damage thresholds were determined as a function of wavelength using a tunable free electron laser source (lambda = 2 to 10 microm) and a solid state holmium:YAG laser (lambda = 2.12 microm). Threshold radiant exposure required for stimulation varies with wavelength from 0.312 Jcm2 (lambda = 3 microm) to 1.22 Jcm2 (lambda = 2.1 microm). Histological analysis indicates no discernable thermal damage with suprathreshold stimulation. The largest damage/stimulation threshold ratios (>6) were at wavelengths corresponding to valleys in the IR spectrum of soft tissue absorption (4 and 2.1 microm). Furthermore, optical stimulation can be used to generate a spatially selective response in small fascicles of the sciatic nerve that has significant advantages (e.g., noncontact, spatial resolution, lack of stimulation artifact) over conventional electrical methods in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in neuroscience, neurology, and neurosurgery.
ISSN:1083-3668
1560-2281
DOI:10.1117/1.2121772