Toward complex multipolar selective neural stimulation

We introduce a new approach for the investigation of multipolar selective neural stimulation. We aim at comparing existing solutions from the literature and innovate in this field with advanced strategies. We have developed a multichannel stimulator, Stim'ND, which allows us to control independently the parameters of complex stimulation profiles of 12 channels for a large number of stimulating current configurations. In this paper, we present preliminary experimental results on a multi-contact cuff electrode, placed around the sciatic nerve of a rabbit 4 multipolar stimulation configurations have been tested and the achieved selectivity in terms of muscle activation investigated. The results are in accordance with the literature and enable us to validate our approach from theoretical and technological points of view. Furthermore the stimulator was designed following the norms and rules that apply to human active implantable medical device so that the technology is currently approved to be transferred to human trials.