A handheld neural stimulation controller for avian navigation guided by remote control

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Shim, Shinyong^{a; b} | Yun, Seunghyeon^{a; b} | Kim, Sunhyo^c | Choi, Gwang Jin^{a; b} | Baek, Changhoon^a | Jang, Jungwoo^d | Jung, Younginha^d | Sung, Jaehoon^e | Park, Jeong Hoan^{a; f} | Seo, Kangmoon^c | Seo, Jong-mo^{a; g} | Song, Yoon-Kyu^d | Kim, Sung June^{a; b; h;}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea | [b] Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea | [c] Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea | [d] Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea | [e] Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, USA | [f] Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore | [g] Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea | [h] Institute on Aging, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Sung June Kim, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Bldg. 301 Room 1006, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea. Tel.: +82 2 880 1812; Fax: +82 2 882 4158; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Animal learning based on brain stimulation is an application in a brain-computer interface. Especially for birds, such a stimulation system should be sufficiently light without interfering with movements of wings. OBJECTIVE:We proposed a fully-implantable system for wirelessly navigating a pigeon. In this paper, we report a handheld neural stimulation controller for this avian navigation guided by remote control. METHODS:The handheld controller employs ZigBee to control pigeon’s behaviors through brain stimulation. ZigBee can manipulate brain stimulation remotely while powered by batteries. Additionally, simple switches enable users to customize parameters of stimuli like a gamepad. These handheld and user-friendly interfaces make it easy to use the controller while a pigeon flies in open areas. RESULTS:An electrode was inserted into a nucleus (formatio reticularis medialis mesencephalic) of a pigeon and connected to a stimulator fully-implanted in the pigeon’s back. Receiving signals sent from the controller, the stimulator supplied biphasic pulses with a duration of 0.080 ms and an amplitude of 0.400 mA to the nucleus. When the nucleus was stimulated, a 180-degree turning-left behavior of the pigeon was consistently observed. CONCLUSIONS:The feasibility of remote avian navigation using the controller was successfully verified.

Keywords: Avian navigation, remote control, handheld controller, neural stimulation, brain-computer interface

DOI: 10.3233/BME-191070

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 30, no. 5-6, pp. 497-507, 2019