An affordable implantable VNS for use in animal research

Abstract

In this research, a Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) has been developed and miniaturized for use in epilepsy research. Commercial stimulators are designed for human use and as such represent an enormous expense for neuroscience laboratories, which is why a subcutaneously implantable PCB has been developed. The board contains all the components necessary for its operation during the standard duration of the experiments, being possible to control it once implanted and even being able to reuse it. The VNS has been validated on rats and hamsters and with this solution the expenditure on materials made by laboratories is greatly reduced.