Computational Modeling of Spatially Selective Retinal Stimulation With Temporally Interfering Electric Fields

Abstract

Retinal electrical stimulation is a widely utilized method to restore visual function for patients with retinal degenerative diseases. Transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) represents an effective way to improve the visual function due to its potential neuroprotective effect. However, TES with single electrode fails to spatially and selectively stimulate retinal neurons. Herein, a computational modeling method was proposed to explore the feasibility of spatially selective retinal stimulation via temporally interfering electric fields. An eyeball model with multiple electrodes was constructed to simulate the interferential electric fields with various electrode montages and current ratios. The results demonstrated that the temporal interference (TI) stimulation would gradually generate an increasingly localized high-intensity region on retina as the return electrodes moved towards the posterior of the eyeball and got closer. Additionally, the position of the convergent region could be modulated by regulating the current ratio of different electrode channels. The TI strategy with multisite and steerable stimulation can stimulate local retinal region with certain convergence and a relatively large stimulation range, which would be a feasible approach for the spatially selective retinal neuromodulation.

A novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique: “Temporally interfering electrical stimulation”

“…The findings showed that TI electrical stimulation could work to increase voiding volume and decrease contraction frequency of the bladder, successfully inhibiting bladder activity. Besides, a computational modeling study aimed to explore the feasibility of spatially selective retinal stimulation via TIinduced electric fields (Su et al, 2021). According to the modeling results, TI stimulation with appropriate electrode montages could achieve selective and focal stimulation in a specific area of retinal neurons, whereas traditional transcorneal electrical stimulation could only stimulate the peripheral area of the retina.…”

Editorial: Advances in bioelectronics and stimulation strategies for next generation neuroprosthetics

“…Significant research efforts have focused largely on developing non-invasive or minimally invasive stimulation techniques (Boes et al, 2018 ; Sun et al, 2018 ; Guo et al, 2020 ; Su et al, 2021 , 2022 ; Lu et al, 2022 ; Ren et al, 2022 ). For example, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) allows reversible region-specific modulation (Filmer et al, 2014 ).…”

Nonlinearities and Timescales in Temporal Interference Stimulation

“…Again it was shown that a single sine waveform is not able to cause stimulation [5]. Furthermore, TI has been studied for retinal stimulation [6]. Instead of using electrodes creating the electric field inside the brain, it is also possible to use TMS coils creating a magnetic field and inducing an electric field.…”

“…Again it was shown that a single sine waveform is not able to cause stimulation [5]. Furthermore, TI has been studied for retinal stimulation [6].…”