A Simple fMRI Compatible Robotic Stimulator to Study the Neural Mechanisms of Touch and Pain

Annals of Biomedical Engineering
F RiilloE Burdet

Abstract

This paper presents a simple device for the investigation of the human somatosensory system with functional magnetic imaging (fMRI). PC-controlled pneumatic actuation is employed to produce innocuous or noxious mechanical stimulation of the skin. Stimulation patterns are synchronized with fMRI and other relevant physiological measurements like electroencephalographic activity and vital physiological parameters. The system allows adjustable regulation of stimulation parameters and provides consistent patterns of stimulation. A validation experiment demonstrates that the system safely and reliably identifies clusters of functional activity in brain regions involved in the processing of pain. This new device is inexpensive, portable, easy-to-assemble and customizable to suit different experimental requirements. It provides robust and consistent somatosensory stimulation, which is of crucial importance to investigating the mechanisms of pain and its strong connection with the sense of touch.

References

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Apr 29, 2014·The Journal of Pain : Official Journal of the American Pain Society·Marieke JepmaTor D Wager

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Citations

Oct 27, 2016·Medical Physics·Enrico FrancoWladyslaw M W Gedroyc
Jan 1, 2017·Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express·Corey E CruttendenRajesh Rajamani

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
imaging techniques

Software Mentioned

LabVIEW
FSL
fMRI Expert Analysis Tool ( FEAT
FLOBS

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