PROJECT TITLE :

Minimizing Stimulus Current in a Wearable Pudendal Nerve Stimulator Using Computational Models

ABSTRACT:

After spinal cord injury, functions of the lower urinary tract could be disrupted. A wearable device with surface electrodes which can effectively control the bladder functions would be highly helpful to the patients. A trans-rectal pudendal nerve stimulator might provide such a answer. But, the major limiting factor in such a stimulator is that the high level of current it requires to recruit the nerve fibers. Additionally, the variability of the trajectory of the nerve in several individuals ought to be thought of. Using computational models and an approximate trajectory of the nerve derived from an MRI study, it's demonstrated in this paper that it might be doable to significantly scale back the desired current levels for trans-rectal stimulation of the pudendal nerve compared to the values previously reported in the literature. This was corroborated by considering an ensemble of doable and probable variations of the trajectory. The outcome of this study suggests that trans-rectal stimulation of the pudendal nerve may be a plausible long run resolution for treating lower urinary tract dysfunctions when spinal wire injury.