Journal
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS
Volume 10, Issue 6, Pages -Publisher
SPIE-SOC PHOTO-OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERS
DOI: 10.1117/1.2121772
Keywords
optical stimulation; peripheral nerve stimulation; lasers; neural excitation techniques
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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 mu m) and a solid state holmium: YAG laser (lambda = 2.12 mu m). Threshold radiant exposure required for stimulation varies with wavelength from 0.312 J/cm(2) (lambda = 3 mu m) to 1.22 J/cm(2) (lambda =2.1 mu m). 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 mu m). 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. (C) 2005 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
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