A model study on fascicle selective stimulation of multi-fascicular nerves

A model of nerve stimulation is presented, incorporating a realistic cross-sectional geometry of a multifascicular nerve. The potential field within the nerve as caused by an stimulation electrode was calculated numerically. Nerve-fiber excitation was modeled according to D.R. McNeal (IEEE Trans Biomed. Eng., vol.23, p.329-37, 1976). Fascicle selective stimulation was studied for electrodes placed outside the nerve, in the epinerium just outside the fascicle and inside the fascicle. The model predicts that extraneural electrodes might selectively stimulate fascicles at the surface of the nerve, while intraneural or even intrafascicular electrodes are necessary for selective stimulation of deeper lying fascicles.<>