Temporal interference current stimulation in peripheral nerves

Abstract

One strategy to electrically stimulate nerves utilizes the interference of multiple high frequency waveforms. This technique has recently gained significant attention as a method to improve the state-of-the-art in neurostimulation. Here we report our investigation into the fundamental properties of the neuronal response to these types of waveforms. Our data suggest, contrary to the currently accepted explanation, that neurons do not extract envelopes at all, and that the response to these signals is well explained by a resistor-capacitor (i.e., integrator) membrane with a fixed firing threshold. This new understanding of the fundamental mechanism of interferential neural stimulation changes how we should model and evaluate the safety and efficacy of these signals. Utilizing this new understanding, we develop several novel interferential stimulation techniques. Interferential strategies demonstrate promising results and may improve many neuromodulation therapies.