Controllability of the vagus nerve using directed electrode stimulation

Brianna Jacobson; Alice Ding; Ma Luo; Kyvia Pereira; Michael Miga

doi:10.1117/12.2612783

4 April 2022 Controllability of the vagus nerve using directed electrode stimulation

Brianna Jacobson, Alice Ding, Ma Luo, Kyvia Pereira, Michael Miga

Proceedings Volume 12034, Medical Imaging 2022: Image-Guided Procedures, Robotic Interventions, and Modeling; 120342H (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2612783
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2022, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), commonly used to reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy, is a promising therapeutic treatment for a number of health issues. Current VNS apparatuses employ a helical electrode design, which stimulates the nerve with no anatomical specificity. The efficacy and breadth of VNS therapy could be improved by targeting stimulation to specific regions of the nerve. A mock electrode was built around a morphologically accurate finite element model of the vagus nerve. Electric currents were injected into the nerve model, and a nodal activating function was used to determine which axons would initiate action potentials. Electrode configurations and stimulation settings were adjusted to target specific fascicles until optimal activation was achieved. Results indicated that small, proximal electrodes could stimulate targeted regions while avoiding activation of off-target axons. Injection of negative current perpendicular to the positive stimulus also proved to refine spatial stimulation, allowing for the activation of deep fascicles with minimal side-effects. While an understanding of the fascicular anatomy of the vagus nerve is still being explored, the preliminary results of this study corroborate the concept of selectively targeting regions of the nerve with electrical stimulation in order to treat specific patient needs. The computational process presented in this work could be employed as a planning tool prior to the geometrical design and surgical implantation of VNS devices.

Citation Download Citation

Brianna Jacobson, Alice Ding, Ma Luo, Kyvia Pereira, and Michael Miga "Controllability of the vagus nerve using directed electrode stimulation", Proc. SPIE 12034, Medical Imaging 2022: Image-Guided Procedures, Robotic Interventions, and Modeling, 120342H (4 April 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2612783

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KEYWORDS

Nerve

Electrodes

Axons

3D modeling

Action potentials

Finite element methods

Surgery

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