A computer-driven optical system for light stimulation in physiological experiments on retinal cells (electrophysiological applications)

Abstract

This paper presents a new computerized control system for a dual-beam photostimulator. Electronic hardware and software were developed to set the optical filters and shutters for light stimulation of recorded retinal cells. Filters were set into stepper-motor-driven wheels which were controlled by specific boards and commanded through a new specially designed personal computer interface, all controlled by specially designed software. Each motor-controlling board was equipped with an electronic control system allowing command transduction and sequential generation of protocols. The electromagnetic shutters were controlled through a different board. The personal computer interface was set with a decodification system based on programmable logic devices. All electronic systems were organized in modular structures. The design performance was tested by measurement of the spectral and absolute sensitivity of retinal horizontal cells.