%B Proceedings of the 28th IEEE EMBS Annual International Conference
%X In this paper we propose an MR (magnetic resonance) compatible electrocutaneous stimulator able to inject an electric current, variable in amplitude and frequency, into the fingertips in order to elicit tactile skin receptors (mechanoreceptors). The desired goal is to evoke specific tactile sensations selectively stimulating skin receptors by means of an electric current in place of mechanical stimuli. The field of application ranges from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) tactile studies to augmented reality technology. The device here proposed is designed using safety criteria in order to comply with the threshold of voltage and current permitted by regulations. Moreover, MR safety and compatibility criteria were considered in order to perform experiments inside the MR scanner during an fMRI acquisition for functional brain activation analysis. Psychophysical laboratory tests are performed in order to define the different evoked tactile sensation. After verifying the device MR safety and compatibility on a phantom, a test on a human subject during fMRI acquisition is performed to visualize the brain areas activated by the simulated tactile sensation.
%C New York
%L eprints3479
%A Valentina Hartwig
%A Claudia Cappelli
%A Nicola Vanello
%A Emiliano Ricciardi
%A Enzo Pasquale Scilingo
%A Giulio Giovannetti
%A Maria Filomena Santarelli
%A Vincenzo Positano
%A Pietro Pietrini
%A Luigi Landini
%A Antonio Bicchi
%T A compatible electrocutaneous display for functional magnetic resonance imaging application
%R 10.1109/IEMBS.2006.260279
%D 2006