A Digital Feedback Clamp Instrument for Neurophysiology

用于神经生理学的数字反馈钳仪器

• 批准号: 6880593
• 负责人: CHARLES William SCOUTEN
• 金额: $ 10.02万
• 依托单位: MYNEUROLAB.COM
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-09-30 至 2006-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6880593
• 关键词: Bivalvia; Gastropoda; bioengineering /biomedical engineering; biomedical equipment development; cerebrum; computer program /software; computer system design /evaluation; electrical measurement; electrophysiology; membrane potentials; myocardium; neurons; neurophysiology; voltage /patch clamp

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The techniques of voltage clamp and current clamp have made significant contributions to the understanding of complex current-voltage relations in excitable membranes. The recently developed dynamic clamp incorporates a computer in the feedback loop to impose a mathematical relation (conductance) between current and voltage. Our objective is to develop an innovative new technology instrument, the Universal Clamp, with enhanced capabilities for studying electrophysiology of nerve, muscle, and other excitable tissues. The implementation of feedback algorithms in computer software has provided a new dimension for electrophysiological studies, allowing for innovative experimental protocols such as sophisticated pulse sequencing and dynamic switching of clamp mode. However, as demonstrated by a simulation study in this proposal, processing delay introduced by the computer can result in significant performance degradation. The few existing implementations of dynamic clamps have been based on off-the-shelf devices, not optimized for digital feedback; in particular, they do not provide an adequate frequency response for studying fast action potentials. To successfully clamp a fast action potential with digital feedback, the system throughput needs to be as high as 500 KHz to 1 MHz. Such high-throughput systems have recently become feasible with the introduction of faster digital signal processing (DSP) chips and appropriate control algorithms. Therefore, this project is designed to develop 1) analog electronics optimized for digital feedback control of excitable membranes; 2) customized DSP software for maximized throughput (1 MHz), advanced digital tracking, and ease of use; and 3) a unified multi-channel system capable of voltage clamp, current clamp, conductance clamp, and forming neuronal networks with computer-simulated synapses. During the development, the Universal Clamp will be tested on cardiac muscles of the surf clam with a double-sucrose-gap preparation and cerebral ganglion neurons of the pond snail with two microelectrodes. The Universal Clamp represents a new generation DSP-based instrument for electrophysiological studies. The instrument will be versatile, flexible, and cost-effective; and will lead to new frontiers in neuroscience research. The digital feedback control in the proposed Universal Clamp will also lend itself to exploratory applications such as brain-machine interface, neuromuscular control of prosthetic devices, and artificial sensory replacements and implants.

描述（由申请人提供）：电压钳和电流钳技术对于理解可兴奋膜中复杂的电流-电压关系做出了重大贡献。最近开发的动态钳位在反馈环路中结合了计算机，以在电流和电压之间施加数学关系（电导）。我们的目标是开发一种创新的新技术仪器，即通用夹，具有增强研究神经、肌肉和其他可兴奋组织的电生理学的能力。计算机软件中反馈算法的实现为电生理学研究提供了新的维度，允许创新的实验方案，例如复杂的脉冲测序和钳位模式的动态切换。然而，正如本提案中的模拟研究所证明的那样，计算机引入的处理延迟可能会导致性能显着下降。现有的少数动态钳位实现都是基于现成的设备，并未针对数字反馈进行优化​​；特别是，它们不能提供足够的频率响应来研究快速动作电位。为了通过数字反馈成功钳位快速动作电位，系统吞吐量需要高达 500 KHz 至 1 MHz。随着更快的数字信号处理（DSP）芯片和适当的控制算法的引入，这种高吞吐量系统最近变得可行。因此，该项目旨在开发1）针对可兴奋膜的数字反馈控制而优化的模拟电子器件； 2) 定制的 DSP 软件可实现最大吞吐量 (1 MHz)、先进的数字跟踪和易用性； 3）统一的多通道系统，能够进行电压钳、电流钳、电导钳，并通过计算机模拟突触形成神经元网络。在开发过程中，通用夹将使用双蔗糖间隙制剂对北蛤的心肌进行测试，并使用两个微电极对池塘蜗牛的脑神经节神经元进行测试。通用钳代表了新一代基于 DSP 的电生理学研究仪器。该仪器将具有多功能、灵活且经济高效的特点；并将引领神经科学研究的新领域。拟议的通用夹具中的数字反馈控制也将有助于探索性应用，例如脑机接口、假肢装置的神经肌肉控制以及人工感觉替换和植入。