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

2.  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

3. 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 -5 0 5 10 02468 121416 CMAP (V) Rat Sciatic Nerve Electrical Stimulator -5 0 5 10 02468 121416 CMAP (V)

4. 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

5.  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

6.  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

7.  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.

8.  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.)