Optimizing the Material, Inter-distance and Temperature Effect of Intramuscular Electrodes used to Stimulate the Thoracic Diaphragm

Abstract

The technique of electrically stimulating the
thoracic diaphragm is conducted by implanting a diaphragmatic
pacemaker, in which the phrenic nerve is stimulated, resulting in
stimulating the diaphragm. A diaphragmatic pacemaker is
usually implanted for a long period of time. Intramuscular
electrodes can be used for stimulating the diaphragm, for such
conditions in which phrenic nerve stimulation cannot be done.
The material and inter-distance of the stimulation electrodes are
very important in order to stimulate the diaphragm in efficient
manner. This paper explains the Optimization of material, interdistance
and temperature effect of intramuscular electrodes used
to stimulate the thoracic diaphragm. A model has been
constructed and simulated on the software COMSOL Multiphysics,
whose results shows that the threshold muscle
stimulation is achieved when 1 volt is applied at the electrode, 15
cm apart from each other. The result further suggested that this
kind of electrical stimulation cannot produce significant thermal
effect on the tissues.