Greg Wigger, Chris Tedder, and Melanie Gault Advised by: Dr. Duco Jansen, Ph.D.

 This requires a reliable stimulation modality to gain better control over neural signals. There is a need for an implantable device that will reliably stimulate individual nerve fascicles

Infrared Stimulation Same advantages as electrical stimulation, but:  Less damaging to nerve  Artifact free  Spatially selective Electrical Stimulation Has fundamental shortcomings that create a need for an alternative  Contact can cause permanent damage to nerve  Stimulation artifact  Hard to selectively stimulate Rat Sciatic Nerve Electrical Stimulator CMAP (V) Rat Sciatic Nerve Electrical Stimulator CMAP (V)

Develop an infrared nerve stimulator containing optical fibers running parallel to the nerve fibers  Create a single fiber prototype  Create a four fiber prototype embedded in a cuff to be wrapped around entire nerve bundle  Two models will be tested: Fiber with angled mirrorFiber polished at 45 degree angle

 IUCAC training for rat experimentation  Introduction to Rats, Working with the IACUC:non-VA version, and Post-Procedure care of mice and rats in research: minimizing pain and distress  Polished a fiber at 45 degrees  Used varying sized grit paper and worked our way down to 1 µm

 Observed beam profile of polished optic fiber  Obtained materials for mirror deign  mirror, nylon tube  Submitted machine shop order for 45 degree angled tube insert

 Construction of proof-of-concept prototype for mirror reflection within the week  Meet with the guys at the machine shop to get the optical fiber fitted into the prototype.

 Power output analysis for both side-firing techniques  Animal studies of both prototypes?  Development of nerve cuff design with 4 side-firing fibers  Exploration of PDMS for biomaterial  Customized building of best side-firing fiber (custom ordered parts, smaller size, etc.)