Galvanic vestibular stimulator for fMRI research

• Main Author: Rülander, Britta Angela
• Publication Date: 2016
• Format: Master thesis
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da UTFPR (da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (RIUT))
• Download full: http://repositorio.utfpr.edu.br/jspui/handle/1/1843
• topic: Aparelho vestibular; Imagem de ressonância magnética; Processamento de imagens - Técnicas digitais; Circuitos integrados; Interface gráfica com o usuário (Sistemas de computação); Métodos de simulação; Engenharia biomédica; Engenharia elétrica; Vestibular apparatus; Magnetic resonance imaging; Image processing - Digital techniques; Integrated circuits; Graphical user interfaces (Computer systems); Simulation methods; Biomedical engineering; Electric engineering; CNPQ::ENGENHARIAS::ENGENHARIA BIOMEDICA

This master thesis presents the further development of a galvanic vestibular stimulator for use in fMRI examinations developed in a previous thesis (MANCZAK, 2012). This thesis amends the GVS by circuits to measure feedback values and implements the stimulation circuit with digital components, such as a microcontroller and flyback integrated circuits. The microcontroller is used in order to control the current source and process the measured values. The communication between the PC, which allows user interaction through a graphical user interface, and the microcontroller is implemented through optical communication, which is defined by a communication protocol specification. The digital circuitry is designed to be placed within the MRI room, meeting the requirements imposed by strong magnetic fields and radio frequency pulses. The underlying hypothesis of the thesis is that the device can be placed within the MRI room without having a negative impact on the MRI image quality. Laboratory tests without the MRI confirmed the correct design of the galvanic vestibular stimulator.