STIMULATION WITH MINIMUM POWER

Abstract

The wave form which will stimulate nerve with the minimum power is found by the calculus of variations to be an exponentially rising current of time constant equal to the time constant of excitation of the nerve. The optimum square wave requires 22% more power, and the optimum exponentially falling current (condenser discharge) requires 85% more power to stimulate than the exponentially rising current. The wave form calculated for normal action potential by Rashevsky is also an exponentially rising current of approx. the optimum form and thus may stimulate with minimum power.