Multi-depth Probe Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Modeling in 2-D using Finite Element Method Analysis

Multi-depth probe transcranial electrical stimulation yields varying electrical potentials and electrical field values at different probe depths in the head. The purpose of this research was to determine whether a stimulating probe would increase or decrease the voltages required to achieve muscle stimulation via the motor cortex. A finite element model was constructed to analyze the theoretical effects of multi-depth probe transcranial electrical stimulation on a 2-D circular volume conduction model. Laplace´s equation was used to model the electrostatic effects of the system, and boundary conditions were set to reflect realistic tissue, fluid, and bone parameters. A mapping of the electric potentials has been developed to identify changes in electric potential through the various layers of the head and the intracranial region.