Premium
A Finite Element Model to Identify Electrode Influence on Current Distribution in the Skin
Author(s) -
Sha Ning,
Kenney Laurence P.J.,
Heller Ben W.,
Barker Anthony T.,
Howard David,
Moatamedi Moji
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2008.00615.x
Subject(s) - electrode , current density , stratum corneum , electrical resistivity and conductivity , finite element method , materials science , current (fluid) , duct (anatomy) , composite material , biomedical engineering , chemistry , electrical engineering , anatomy , structural engineering , engineering , physics , medicine , pathology , quantum mechanics
Discomfort experienced during surface functional electrical stimulation (FES) is thought to be partly a result of localized high current density in the skin underneath the stimulating electrode. This article describes a finite element (FE) model to predict skin current density distribution in the region of the electrode during stimulation and its application to the identification of electrode properties that may act to reduce sensation. The FE model results show that the peak current density was located in an area immediately under the stratum corneum, adjacent to a sweat duct. A simulation of surface FES via a high‐resistivity electrode showed a reduction in this peak current density, when compared to that with a low‐resistivity electrode.