Development of a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device based on polarity interchangeable electrodes

Technol Health Care. 2020;28(S1):311-319. doi: 10.3233/THC-209031.

Abstract

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that can help modulate cortical excitability by transmitting direct current (DC) between a pair of scalp electrodes. To date, most studies on tDCS have been relatively short-lived, and the DC stimulations only lasted a few minutes. Conventional tDCS devices usually have some problems such as needing a lot of patches and lead lines.

Objective: Since conventional tDCS devices are unsuitable for use in long-term stimulations, we developed a new tDCS which can easily be used by unskilled persons.

Methods: We developed a new tDCS device that does not have lead lines for tDCS electrodes and has a simple structure.

Result: This device can achieve stimulation with polarity interchangeable DC without physically swapping the anode and cathode. The performance of the proposed device was verified through an experiment.

Conclusion: The developed tDCS device can contribute to long-term research as it uses neuroelectric stimulation.

Keywords: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS); interchangeable electrodes.

MeSH terms

  • Electrodes*
  • Humans
  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / instrumentation*
  • Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation / methods*