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Sensitivity analysis of a numerical model for percutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation

Tijdschriftbijdrage - Tijdschriftartikel

Background: Less-invasive percutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (pVNS) gained importance as a possible nonpharmacological treatment for various diseases. The objective is to perform a sensitivity analysis of a realistic numerical model of pVNS and to investigate the effects of the model parameters on the excitation threshold for single and bundled axons. Methods: Sim4Life electrostatic solver and neural tissue models were combined for electromagnetic and neural simulation. The numerical model consisted of a high-resolution model of a human ear, blood vessels, nerves, and three needle electrodes. Investigated parameters include the axon diameter and number, model temperature, ear conductivity, and electrodes' penetration depth and position. Results: The electric field distribution was evaluated. Model temperature and ear conductivity are the non-influential parameters. Axons fiber diameter and the electrodes' penetration depth are the most influential parameters with a maximum threshold voltage sensitivity of 32 mV for each 1 mu m change in the axon diameter and 38 mV for each 0.1 mm change in the electrodes' penetration depth. Conclusions: The established sensitivity analysis allows the identification of the influential and the non-influential parameters with a sensitivity quantification. Results suggest that the electrodes' penetration depth is the most influential parameter.
Tijdschrift: APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
ISSN: 2076-3417
Issue: 3
Volume: 9
Jaar van publicatie:2019
BOF-keylabel:ja
IOF-keylabel:ja
BOF-publication weight:0.1
CSS-citation score:1
Auteurs:International
Authors from:Higher Education
Toegankelijkheid:Open