Programmable current source and nerve conduction velocity experimental setup

Abstract

In this study, programmable current source (PCS) experimental set-up that measures the nerve conduction velocity is designed. Firstly, analog PCS is implemented with integrated circuit of 555. Then, microprocessor-based PCS is designed by improving existing analog design at hand. PCS can produce current signal with adjustable frequency and amplitude. An EMG amplifier circuit is designed to measure the EMG signal from thumb finger muscle stimulated by PCS device. EMG signal is then send to the computer with a serial communication port. Received EMG signals are plotted in MATLAB and some interpretations are given.