Background: Tactile displays

Electrotactile simulation

Electrotactile (electrocutaneous) stimulation produces controlled, localized touch sensations at the location of a small stimulation electrode by passing a small electric current through the skin. The electric field thus generated in subcutaneous tissue directly excites the afferent nerve fibers responsible for normal, mechanical touch sensations. The stimulation is perceived as a sensation described as tingle, pressure, vibration, or pain, depending on the electrode and stimulation waveform properties. For a review of electrotactile stimulation, see:

• K. A. Kaczmarek, J. G. Webster, P. Bach-y-Rita and W. J. Tompkins, "Electrotactile and vibrotactile displays for sensory substitution systems," IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng., vol. 38, pp. 1-16, 1991.
• K. A. Kaczmarek and P. Bach-y-Rita, "Tactile displays," in Virtual Environments and Advanced Interface Design, W. Barfield and T. Furness, Eds. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995, pp. 349-414.

Research at TCNL is attempting to develop the best methods to improve the intensity and quality of touch sensations produced by electrotactile stimulation, and developing new applications of electrotactile stimulation:

• Electrotactile intensity and quality
• Fingertip-scanned fingertip electrotactile graphics display
• Graphic glove whole-hand electrotactile graphics display
• Tongue display unit

Tactile display technology is also used for our recent developments to develop methods to enhance recovery from neurological impairments. This technique is called Cranial-Nerve Non-Invasive Neuromodulation (CN-NINM).

See also publication list.