Graduate Seminar Series: Clinical Stream – Aleksandra Dojnov

Graduate Seminar Series: Clinical Stream
Graduate Seminar Series for the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME). This day is for clinical stream presenters.
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Presentation Title: Feasibility of non-invasively measuring neural activity evoked by saphenous nerve stimulation in humans
Abstract: Rationale and Objectives. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a large problem, affecting 14-18% of the population in Canada and the US. Saphenous nerve stimulation is an emerging therapy for treating OAB. Stimulation-evoked neural signals can produce the subjective perception of paresthesia, but this does not confirm whether the neural target has been sufficiently activated and may be difficult in patients with impaired sensory processing. An objective measurement of non-invasive nerve stimulation could provide a more accurate representation of neural activation. Unfortunately, since the saphenous nerve is a purely sensory nerve, visible confirmation cannot be accomplished by measuring muscle contraction. This study investigated the feasibility of measuring evoked neural activity evoked as sensed by several cutaneous recording electrode configurations. Methodology. In 17 healthy volunteers (11 male; age = 24 ± 2.1 years, range: 20-28; BMI = 22.5 ± 2.8), stimulation evoked neural activity was measured and analyzed for 4 recording configurations obtained using 5 electrodes located linearly on the top surface of the foot: monopolar, bipolar, tripolar, and tetrapolar (see figure). Peak-to-peak amplitude (Vpp) was measured. Results. A high signal-to-noise ratio can be achieved by averaging the neural signals from a minimum of 70 pulses (i.e., 7 seconds at 10 Hz). Vpp at maximal recruitment ranged between 2-11 µV, which is consistent with literature. Different stimulation thresholds follow patterns associated with stimulation-evoked physiological phenomena and reflect expected neural recruitment behaviour. The tetrapolar configuration yielded the largest Vpp. Conclusion and Significance. The results support the feasibility of using non-invasive recording electrodes to measure stimulation-evoked signals from the saphenous nerve. A tetrapolar configuration may provide the best recorded signal as it produces the greatest Vpp. Further work is needed to translate these initial findings into a clinical therapeutic device.
Supervisor Name: Paul Yoo
Year of Study: 2
Program of Study: MASc
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89610372821?pwd=azd4SCtYVWtreVovaGNPV1c2NGY2Zz09
Meeting ID: 896 1037 2821
Password: 483329
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