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Magnetic nerve stimulation is a non-invasive method of exciting a neural tissue which can be achieved by exposing the body to a transient magnetic field. This field is generated by passing a high current through a coil over a short period of time. By positioning this coil in a specific orientation over the targeted nerve, the time variation of the magnetic field will create an electric field in the conductive milieu of the body. Induced currents will result from that electric field. If those currents reach a certain amplitude within a specific time period this will cause a neural depolarization. This depolarization will enable us to test and examine the excited nerve which will provide us with the necessary data for an effective treatment. In my thesis I will analyse the benefits of magnetic nerve stimulation with the objective of designing a coil that provides a focussed magnetic field. This field will excite the targeted nerve with minimal or to no excitation to the surrounding nerves. This means that we can effectively apply or measure the excitation of the targeted nerve without involving the surrounding nerves. It is my intention to bring this application to a practical platform where a simple circuit with lower power requirements can be used. This will enable some patients requiring physiotherapy to safely administer magnetic nerve stimulation to themselves without the help of a therapist. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

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No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, December 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 9, 2009). "College of Education." Includes bibliographical references (p. 84-88).

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an approved therapy for patients suffering from refractory epilepsy. While VNS is currently an open loop system, making the system closed loop can improve the therapeutic efficacy. Electrical recording of peripheral nerve activity using a nerve cuff electrode is a potential long-term solution for implementing a closed-loop controlled VNS system. However, the clinical utility of this approach is significantly limited by various factors, such as poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the recorded electroneurogram (ENG). In this study, we investigated the effects of (1) modifying the electrode contact dimensions, (2) implementing an external shielding layer on the nerve cuff electrode and (3) exploring shielded bipolar nerve cuff designs on the recorded ENG. Findings from both computer simulations and animal experiments suggest that significant improvements in peripheral nerve recordings can be achieved.