Finite element analysis of bioelectric phenomena

Area of Science:

• * Bioengineering and Computational Biology
• * Medical Physics
• * Electrical Engineering

Background:

• * Bioelectric phenomena involve electrical fields generated by membrane currents or external stimulation.
• * These phenomena are critical in various diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
• * Mathematical modeling is essential for understanding and predicting bioelectric behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To review the application of finite element methods (FEM) in bioelectric modeling.
• * To summarize and analyze existing literature on FEM in bioelectric phenomena.
• * To provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in finite element modeling of bioelectric phenomena.

Main Methods:

• * Formulation of governing equations for generalized bioelectric problems.
• * Derivation of finite element equations for these models.
• * Comprehensive literature search and analysis of 32 relevant papers.

Main Results:

• * FEM is applied across diverse areas including electrocardiology, nerve stimulation, defibrillation, and electrical impedance tomography.
• * Detailed summaries of model specifics, assumptions, results, and applicability for each reviewed study.
• * Critical evaluation of FEM appropriateness, implementation, and accuracy factors in bioelectric modeling.

Conclusions:

• * Finite element methods are a versatile and powerful tool for modeling complex bioelectric phenomena.
• * The review highlights the broad applicability and ongoing development of FEM in bioelectric research.
• * Understanding FEM's strengths and limitations is key for accurate bioelectric simulations.