Abstract: A picafina device that is an electrode for measurement of neuron electrical activity where the number of measurement points is very large, and methods of selecting a subset of available measuring electrodes on the surface of the device. The device can keep the selection for a predetermined length of time, or for an indefinite length of time, both under control of the researcher or the neurosurgeon. Selecting a different measuring pad, or a combination of pads, is equivalent to making measurement at a different location or on a nearby neuron. Several parallel measurements can be made, in which case correlations can be made between the firing of different neurons.

Abstract: A picafina device that is an electrode for measurement of neuron electrical activity where the number of measurement points is very large, and methods of selecting a subset of available measuring electrodes on the surface of the device. The device can keep the selection for a predetermined length of time, or for an indefinite length of time, both under control of the researcher or the neurosurgeon. Selecting a different measuring pad, or a combination of pads, is equivalent to making measurement at a different location or on a nearby neuron. Several parallel measurements can be made, in which case correlations can be made between the firing of different neurons.

Abstract: An electric stimulator for heart, brain, organs and general cells with a random shape and position of electrodes which enhances its performance for breaking the symmetry. Two types of electrodes are introduced: type-1, or active electrodes are similar to prior art, while type-2, or passive electrodes have not been used in this context. Passive electrodes are electrically insulated, being unable to inject current in the surrounding medium, but they are capable of shaping the electric field, which has consequence on the path of the stimulating currents injected by type-1 electrodes.

Abstract: A cell stimulating and measuring device which contains a larger number of electrodes than used in current stimulators and measuring devices. The larger number of electrodes is possible with the implementation of an addressing system to choose one or a plurality of electrodes from a larger set of available electrodes to be active. Moreover, the digital address and control lines passing from the battery/control electronics unit, to the stimulator and measuring device which contains the electrodes, are sent in serial form, which decreases the space used by the wires that must be minimized in a device implanted in a living organism. The system can be used to send current to electrically stimulate cells, and to connect the same, or other electrodes to a measuring unit for data collection, which can be used either for clinical or for research use.

Abstract: A device to improve the safety of neuronal, heart, muscle and organ electrical stimulation devices during MRI scanning. The device consists of means to open and/or closing the circuit to the electrical stimulation device and to the battery pack, while, concomitantly, closing and/or opening another circuit to a dedicated path that dissipates the stored energy induced by the radiofrequency used in imaging MRI.

Abstract: An improved electrode for neural stimulation, including deep brain stimulation, cortical stimulation, muscle stimulation and other similar applications. The improvement of our invention over prior art consisting of the possibility of a larger number of electrode pads from where to originate the electrical stimulation, thereby offering the possibility of fine control of the location of the stimulating signal. Our invention discloses a system of address wires which controls switches and demultiplexers to select one of a plurality of wires and one of a plurality of electrode pads from where the electric stimulation starts, and latches that maintain some selected choices after the address buses go on to select other wires and other electrode tips. Our invention also discloses time delay lines which are used to keep the stimulating pulses for a pre-assigned time, after which the stimulating pulses stop until further instruction to start again.

Abstract: An improved electrode for measurement of neuron electrical activity where the number of measurement points is much larger than offered by existing devices. We disclose a method to select a subset of available measuring electrodes, herein called pads, on the surface of the device of our invention, herein called picafina. Besides selecting a particular subset of electrodes, or pads, to use in a particular case, our invention teaches methods and means to keep the selection for a predetermined length of time, or for an indefinite length of time, both under control of the researcher or the neurosurgeon. Selecting a different measuring pad, or a combination of pads, is equivalent of making measurement at a different location, or on a nearby neuron. The invention also discloses method and means to make several parallel measurements, in which case correlations can be made between the firing of different neurons.