An electromechanical stimulator system for neurophysiological and psychophysical studies of pain

We have developed a computer-based electromechanical stimulator system suited for neurophysiological and psychophysical studies of pain. The core of the stimulator is a servo-controlled linear motor capable of generating 1 kg of force over a 22-mm range. Forces collinear and tangential to the interc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of neuroscience methods 1995-08, Vol.60 (1), p.61-68
Main Authors: Schneider, W., Slugg, R.M., Turnquist, B.P., Meyer, R.A., Campbell, J.N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Compliance
Electric Stimulation - instrumentation
Feedback
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects. Models. Methods
Haplorhini
Mechanical stimulator
Nerve Fibers, Myelinated - physiology
Nociception
Nociceptors - physiology
Pain Measurement - instrumentation
Physical Stimulation - instrumentation
Psychophysics
Skin Physiological Phenomena
Software
Tissue mechanics
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:We have developed a computer-based electromechanical stimulator system suited for neurophysiological and psychophysical studies of pain. The core of the stimulator is a servo-controlled linear motor capable of generating 1 kg of force over a 22-mm range. Forces collinear and tangential to the interchangeable probe tip are calculated using the signal from 3 load cells (resolution: 1 8 g; range: 250 g) arranged in an equilateral triangle. Probe position is measured with an optical encoder (resolution: 1 μm; range: 25 mm). A microprocessor-based digital control system permits smooth switching of feedback control between force or position at the 1-kHz update rate. The stimulator is mounted on a microprocessor-controlled 3-axis translation system that allows automatic movement of the probe over a range of greater than 15 cm to an accuracy of better than 10 μm. The stimulator can be programmed to move in a coordinate system parallel to the skin surface being examined. An IBM-compatible computer is used to command stimulus paradigms and to display real-time motor performance and neural spike-train data. The system has been used to measure the response of nociceptive afferents in monkey to controlled force stimuli applied to various positions within the receptive field.
ISSN:0165-0270
1872-678X
DOI:10.1016/0165-0270(94)00220-B