A computer-controlled stimulator with applications to cardiac electrophysiology

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Abstract
A computer-controlled stimulator compatible with S-100 microcomputers using an 8080 or Z-80 microprocessor is described. The pusle interval is controlled from 1 to 65,535 ms and the pulse duration from 1 to 255 ms by steps of 1 ms. The pulse amplitude is controlled from 0 to 10.24 V (in constant voltage mode) and from 0 to 1 mA (in constant current mode) by steps of 4 mV and 4 mu A, respectively. The characteristics of the stimuli and their timing can be altered automatically according to programmed protocols that may or may not take into account the response of the biologic preparation. Applications of this stimulator to the study of experimental cardiac electrophysiology are illustrated in vivo and in vitro.