Optimization of neural stimulation in a device for treating urinary incontinence

Abstract

In this work, after reporting the MRI studies to find out the nerve trajectory, we used finite element modeling to investigate bipolar and tripolar stimulation methods, aimed at exciting the pudendal afferent using a wearable neuromuscular stimulation probe. Using a 2D model, the effects of size and current weighting of the anodes on the activating function were investigated. We explored how having two tissue layers of different conductivity around the probe could change the activating function along the nerve. Some of the results were further verified using a 3D model.