Electrical Charge Characterization of Hybrid Neurostimulator Probe - In silico Studies and In vitro Verification

Abstract

This study investigates the electrical charge distribution of a hybrid deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrode designed for both stimulation and sensing applications. The hybrid electrode’s performance was evaluated using in silico simulations in ANSYS, where conductivity values ranging from 0.08 S/m to 0.37 S/m were applied, along with voltage sweeps from 1V to 10V. Simulations were validated through laboratory experiments, where the electrode was immersed in an agarose gel, simulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) conductivity. Electric field distribution was measured at radial distances up to 0.5 mm from the electrode surface. Pearson correlation and ANOVA were used to statistically compare simulated and experimental data, showing a high correlation. These results suggest that the hybrid electrode offers a precise and localized stimulation pattern, providing essential insights for enhancing adaptive DBS systems through more targeted and controlled stimulation.