Intermediate multimedia node: Implantable spinal cord stimulator

Advanced wireless technology in multimedia devices that is used widely in daily life can be applied to medical devices, such as spinal cord stimulator (SCS), for functioning as a multimedia node. This paper describes a SCS prototype that functions as a sensor and actuator for scientific research and potential clinical applications. The SCS is able to generate voltage/current outputs in 4 channels (with 16 electrodes selection) and has the capacity to sense tissue impedance in real-time. Furthermore, the SCS allows for wireless communication with high power efficiency at a long range (up to 2 m). Benefiting from its novel designs for high power efficiency and wireless signal/power transmission, the SCS also satisfies the longterm animal/clinical test requirements for maintaining multimedia link. Our experiments also indicate that the SCS has better performance, such as in electrical parameters and versatility, to relevant studies. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.