tDCS Shield alternatives

BeauSBeauS Iowa
edited June 2016 in Hardware
Hello guys, I saw in the latest kickstarter update, development for the shield has been discontinued. I have cerebral palsy and was planning on using my Ultracortex Mark lll mainly for tDCS. Is there a way I can build my own shield? Or anything like Joel's early prototype shown here? Otherwise, would I be better off with a tDCS specific device?

Comments

  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA
    There is an excellent blog here which includes many posts on low cost alternatives,

    http://www.diytdcs.com/

    https://www.google.com/search?q=diy+tdcs

  • BeauSBeauS Iowa
    wjcroft- Do you still use the ActivaDose II? 
  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA
    Yes, occasionally. It's a great machine and quite safe. And... I would be careful on reading some of the tDCS material that is out there on the web. Sometimes folks enthusiastic for a new technology overstate what is possible. Since you are addressing a real medical issue I might suggest finding a licensed practitioner who is using it with CP with some success. Then follow their suggestions. The ActivaDose is in wide use by both home users and clinical practitioners.

  • BeauSBeauS Iowa
    I haven't found anyone in my area, but I have contacted Spaulding Rehab Hospital as they have been doing clinical trials with tDCS and CP. As far as devices for home use, I've seen the Go Flow Pro and Activa Dose II as very popular devices right now. One's $100, one's $400. Not sure yet what to go with.
  • BeauSBeauS Iowa
    edited June 2016
    wjcroft- I'll be trying out the Super Specific Devices 12-24 selectable voltage. Also the 10/20 brainet cap. 




  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA
    Beau, hi.

    I did not realize the Brainet prices have gone up to $50. They used to only be about $30. Anyway, that "placement cap" can be somewhat useful for locating the standard 10-20 sites. However it's not strong enough to hold your tDCS sponge electrodes in place. This Caputron strap is one of the best I've seen and is only $25 more than what you are paying.


  • BeauSBeauS Iowa
    wjcroft- I will consider that cap. Are you familiar with this device? It's analog instead of digital, but I will get a current reading. IT has a selectable voltage of 12 or 24V. I see other devices are 9V. 
  • wjcroftwjcroft Mount Shasta, CA
    I havent used the Super Specific, but the description looks reasonable. tDCS uses a "constant current source" in electronics terms. In other words it raises the voltage as high as is needed to achieve the set current, say 2 ma.


    You don't generally see a voltage selector on tDCS units. I would check their instruction manual to see what this is about. Could be something they just added for marketing appeal.
  • biomurphbiomurph Brooklyn, NY
    We have been in touch with Brent at Speak Wisdom
    He does clinical tDCS, and has many reviews of products and DIY methods on his site.
  • SSDtDCSSSDtDCS Portland
    The selectable voltage does serve a specific function within the fixed voltage circuit. To summarize: it allows one to overcome higher resistances more easily (and without the spiking in higher or non-fixed voltages that occurs when the circuit tries to compensate). You will notice, I hope, that we have a zero hyperbole marketing policy (which means we rely on facts and reviews :)
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