Localized electrical nerve blocking

This study was motivated by the requirement for safe and effective nerve blocking techniques for future neural prostheses. The response of nerve to sinusoidal blocking currents was examined using Hodgkin Huxley (HH) and Schwartz-Eikhof (SE) nerve models. The latter was used to simulate human nerve r...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Andrews, B.J., Kooi, B.B.J.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical engineering
Electric shock
Electrochemical processes
Electrodes
Frequency
Humans
Implants
Mathematical model
Optical fiber testing
Prosthetics
Online Access:Request full text
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Description
Summary:This study was motivated by the requirement for safe and effective nerve blocking techniques for future neural prostheses. The response of nerve to sinusoidal blocking currents was examined using Hodgkin Huxley (HH) and Schwartz-Eikhof (SE) nerve models. The latter was used to simulate human nerve responses. Localized nerve blocking was clearly demonstrated at some frequencies. Preliminary results are given for blocking at 5 and 20 kHz for fiber diameters 10-100 /spl mu/m (HH) and 3-15 /spl mu/m (SE). The minimal current required for blocking is increased with frequency. The blocking effect is fiber diameter selective with minimum blocking current approximately inversely proportional to logarithm of fiber diameter. However, at 2 kHz undesirable and desynchronized, low frequency action potentials were induced.
DOI:10.1109/IEMBS.1996.656986