Our Implantable Stimulator-Transponders (ISTs) are implantable, wireless devices that provide pulsed or constant electric current for electrical stimulation by a Subcutaneous Depth Electrode (SDE) or optogenetic stimulation by an Implantable Light-Emitting Diode (ILED). Each IST contains its own embedded, programmable OSR8 microprocessor capable or running user-provided programs. The IST is designed for long-term experiments with intermittent stimulation.
The IST provides stimulation, acknowledgement, battery monitoring, a stimulation indicator signal for telemetry synchronization, and upload of custom stimulation protocols all by radio control. It receives commands through its loop antenna using its on-board crystal radio and it transmits signals through the same antenna. When an IST transmits signals, it uses the same telemetry system as our telemetry sensors, so ISTs may be deployed in the same experiment as our Subcutaneous Transmitters (SCTs), Head-Mounting Transmitters (HMTs), and Implantable Inertial Sensors (IIS).
