Non-invasive System for Identifying Motoneuron Behavior

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant This Phase II SBIR PA will complete the successful development of a pre commercial non invasive measurement technology that can identify the firing instances of motor units MUs from surface detected EMG signals produced by contractions that result in limb movements anisometric contractions such as gait and exercise MUs provide the fundamental unit of force generation in the neuromuscular system and the ability to measure their control properties is a key element to understanding human movement Advanced tools for MU detection are needed for understanding evaluating and improving physical performance in healthy and impaired populations Current MU detection technology is invasive inserting a needle sensor into a muscle highly constrained for isometric contractions that do not result in limb movement and of limited output typically MUs The proposed Phase II SBIR will deliver a non invasive system that can decompose the surface electromyographic sEMG signal from anisometric contractions to identify the firing instances of as many as concurrently active MUs with an accuracy andgt The project builds upon our development of technology for identifying MUs from non invasive sensors during isometric contraction conditions It follows the demonstration in Phase I that our parent technology can be expanded to identify the firing instances of MUs from sEMG signals during a limited set of anisometric contractions R NS The research strategy in Phase II builds upon the signal processing approach validated in Phase I to produce enhanced software algorithms that yield significantly higher numbers of accurate MU firings from a broader range of anisometric contraction conditions and muscle groups The project includes the modification of a currently available body worn datalogger and sensor that will be integrated with the software algorithms to deliver a hardened pre commercial system that supports protocol development ambulatory recording sEMG decomposition and advanced post processing analyses The impact of this work will be to provide brain and behavior researchers and clinicians with a tool to perform motor control investigations not otherwise possible This will allow a greater number of end users to more effectively explore the workings of the normal or dysfunctional neuromuscular system leading to improved interventions and management PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE The introduction of a non invasive tool to perform motor control investigations during gait and other dynamic activities not otherwise possible will enable researchers and clinicians to delineate the neural contributions to deficits or gains in muscle strength dexterity coordination balance and involuntary movements This information can be used to design more directed care for reversing the effects of neurological damage or counteracting age related deficiencies in muscle performance Such evidence based interventions would lead to more efficient allocation of health resources and improve quality of life