New publication: Modeling of Phrenic Nerve Stimulation

The stimulation of the phrenic nerve is a new approach in the context of artificial ventilation and has the potential to reduce currently occurring adverse effects (e.g. VIDD). Activating the phrenic nerve keeps the diaphragm active and generates a physiological breathing movement. Stimulation can be performed electrically with surface electrodes in the neck area. The identification of optimal stimulation sequences is a current challenge and is supported by modeling and simulation studies. The paper “Activation thresholds for electrical phrenic nerve stimulation at the neck: evaluation of stimulation pulse parameters in a simulation study” presents an anatomically detailed model of the neck and the phrenic nerve and evaluates different stimulation sequences. The model is characterized by several scales, which represent the macroscopic anatomy of the neck and the microscopic structure of the nerve and the nerve fibers. Different stimulation signals are evaluated with respect to the required activation current. In addition, potentially co-activated nerves in the neck area are evaluated. The publication provides insights into the physiology of the phrenic nerve and highlights characteristics of the stimulation signals to activate its fibers with a minimal possible electrical current.

Original publication:

Laureen Wegert, Marek Ziolkowski, Tim Kalla, Irene Lange, Jens Haueisen and Alexander Hunold: Activation thresholds for electrical phrenic nerve stimulation at the neck: evaluation of stimulation pulse parameters in a simulation study 2024 J. Neural Eng. 21 066012. DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad8c84.