Simulation of tissue resistivity behavior using a finite difference based model

Abstract

Biological tissues are morphologically and physiologically very complex. From an electrical point of view, they are anisotropic and can also be inhomogeneous. Due to their highly complex properties, it is extremely difficult to model their resistivity behavior using analytical models. This can be overcome by adopting numerical techniques to solve the problem. A numerical model based on the finite difference method has been developed. It models the resistivity behavior of both skeletal and cardiac muscle of different levels of anisotropy and/or inhomogeneity. Simulations of skeletal muscle behavior mere performed and compared with the results of a validated analytical model. Results obtained with two models agree within /spl plusmn/10% The model is being evaluated using ex vivo experimental measurements.<>