Volume conductor models in surface electromyography: computational techniques

Abstract

Models of surface electromyogram (EMG) are useful to assess the effect of geometrical or conductivity properties of the tissue on the recorded signal. This paper provides a review of structure based models describing specific volume conductors. The technique for the development of advanced analytical and numerical simulators is described. A new model is also introduced, simulating a layered volume conductor including a subcutaneous tissue with variable thicknesses, providing an approximate analytical solution in the Fourier transform domain. Note that volume conductors are described using Poisson equation, fundamental model of Mathematical Physics, which applies also to mechanics, diffusion, electrostatics problems.