Document Detail


A versatile computer-controlled biological stimulus sequencer.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  6536813     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A computer-controlled stimulus sequencer has been developed. This device can be controlled by several commonly available, inexpensive 8-bit microcomputers in which the address, data, and control lines are externally accessible. Although the Apple implementation has been described, a similar interface has also been devised for the Radio Shack Color Computer. The hardware relies on the Rockwell Versatile Interface Adapter (VIA) chip (which has two 16-bit timers capable of functioning as frequency dividers, event counters, or one-shots) and a 12-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) chip. This hardware combination, along with software written in Basic and machine language (stored in an EPROM for turn-key operation), allows creation of a large number of unique trains that can be chained together in any sequence. This is aided by storing the train characteristics economically in the computer memory and chaining different train parameters in a link-list. Several train parameters can be incremented or decremented manually by a pair of keys. The amplitude of the train can be changed manually or under program control. Once created, the trains can be edited on the run or deleted from the sequence. The device also generates a trigger pulse that can be referenced to any pulse in a train and can be used to pretrigger an oscilloscope. The software has provision for detecting an external signal, and this information can be used to modify train parameters. The interface is interrupt driven and therefore does not require continuous use of the Basic interpreter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Authors:
G Boyechko; D Bose
Related Documents :
19138803 - Neonatal cardiomyocyte ploidy reveals critical windows of heart development.
2811433 - A fast, high precision and inexpensive analog to digital board for pc-at or compatible.
16722813 - In search of pharmacoeconomic evaluations for fibromyalgia treatments: a review.
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of pharmacological methods     Volume:  12     ISSN:  0160-5402     ISO Abbreviation:  J Pharmacol Methods     Publication Date:  1984 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1985-09-16     Completed Date:  1985-09-16     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7806596     Medline TA:  J Pharmacol Methods     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  45-52     Citation Subset:  IM    
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Computers
Electric Stimulation / instrumentation*
Electrophysiology / instrumentation*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Determination of inflamed paw surface temperature in rats.
Next Document:  The recording of venous compliance in the conscious dog: a method for the assessment of venoconstric...