Advances in surface electromyographic signal simulation with analytical and numerical descriptions of the volume conductor

Abstract

Surface electromyographic (EMG) signal modelling is important for signal interpretation, testing of processing algorithms, detection system design and didactic purposes. Various surface EMG signal models have been proposed in the literature. This study focuses on the proposal of a method for modelling surface EMG signals, using either analytical or numerical descriptions of the volume conductor for space-invariant systems, and on the development of advanced models of the volume conductor by numerical approaches, accurately describing the volume conductor geometry and the conductivity, as mainly done in the past, but also the conductivity tensor of the muscle tissue. For volume conductors that are space-invariant in the direction of source propagation, the surface potentials generated by any source can be computed by one-dimensional convolutions, once the volume conductor transfer function has been derived (analytically or numerically). Conversely, more complex volume conductors require a complete numerical approach. In a numerical approach, the conductivity tensor of the muscle tissue should be matched with the fibre orientation. In some cases (e.g. multi-pinnate muscles), accurate description of the conductivity tensor can be very complex. A method for relating the conductivity tensor of the muscle tissue, to be used in a numerical approach, to the curve describing the muscle fibres is presented and applied to investigate representatively a bi-pinnate muscle with rectilinear and curvilinear fibres. The study thus proposes an approach for surface EMG signal simulation in space invariant systems, as well as new models of the volume conductor using numerical methods.

Electromyography (EMG) Modeling

“…The model includes resistive and capacitive tissue properties as well as the effect of finite length of muscle fibers. Farina et al (151) presented the possibility of combining analytical and numerical methods for description of the complex volume conductor and analytical methods for modeling the source. Mesin and Farina (152) analyze the ability to describe surface EMG signals generated by bi-pinnate muscles analytically.…”

Insights gained into the interpretation of surface electromyograms from the gastrocnemius muscles: A simulation study

“…The assumption that the volume conductor is invariant in the direction of propagation of intracellular action potentials allowed for the development of fast analytical models for the simulation of surface EMGs (Farina and Merletti, 2001;Farina et al, 2004a). If a volume conductor is space invariant, the surface representation of motor unit action potentials does not change with propagation.…”

Geometry assessment of anal sphincter muscle based on monopolar multichannel surface EMG signals

“…1A). As proved (Mesin, 2009), assuming the volume conductor to be space invariant (Farina et al, 2004b), the integral of the spatial distribution of the surface potential is zero along any line parallel to the fibre direction. The hypothesis of space invariance corresponds to assuming that the muscle fibres are circular, with constant depth within the muscle and aligned with the detection points.…”