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Gate Mechanism and Parameter Analysis of Anodal-First Waveforms for Improving Selectivity of C-Fiber Nerves
Siyu He1, Kornkanok Tripanpitak2, Yu Yoshida2
1Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
Purpose:
Few investigations have been conducted on the selective stimulation of small-radius unmyelinated C nerves (C), which are critical to both the recovery of damaged nerves and pain suppression. The purpose of this study is to understand how an anodal pulse in an anodal-first stimulation could improve C-selectivity over myelinated nociceptive Aδ nerves (Aδ) and to further clarify the landscape of the solution space.
Materials And Methods:
An adapted Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model and the McIntyre-Richardson-Grill (MRG) model were used for modeling C and Aδ, respectively, to analyze the underlying ion dynamics and the influence of relevant stimulation waveforms, including monopolar, polarity-symmetric, and asymmetric pulses.
Results:
The results showed that polarity asymmetric waveforms with preceding anodal stimulations benefit C-selectivity the most, underlain by the decrease in the potassium ion current of C.
Conclusion:
The optimal parameters for C-selectivity have been identified in the low-frequency band, remarkably benefiting the design of selective stimulation waveforms for the recovery of damaged nerves and pain management.
