An Adjustable Electrical Stimulator for Cell Culture

Abstract

Electrical stimulations can promote cell growth, but most electrical stimulators could only output either voltage signals or current signals and do not output arbitrary waveforms according to need. In this paper, a wireless stimulator with adjustable stimulation signals is developed for cell culture. The original waveforms are produced by signal generating circuits. Then under the adjustment of amplification circuits, the original waveforms are converted into current stimulation signals or voltage stimulation signals. Finally, stimulation signals apply onto cells under the monitor of current measuring circuits. The stimulator can provide signals with the following characteristics: (a) required arbitrary waveforms at frequencies ranging from 0 Hz to 100[Formula: see text]kHz; (b) voltage signals at an amplitude ranging from [Formula: see text]15[Formula: see text]V to 15[Formula: see text]V with a resolution of 1[Formula: see text]mV; and (c) current signals at an amplitude ranging from [Formula: see text]1[Formula: see text]mA to 1[Formula: see text]mA with a resolution of 1[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A when load resistance is less than 50.0[Formula: see text]k[Formula: see text]. Results of these experiments confirm that the developed instrument can provide adjustable stimulation signals for cell growth.