Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) for the assessment of neuromuscular function
First Claim
1. A method for assessing neuromuscular function by estimating motor unit numbers, the method comprising:
- providing an electrode array for delivering one or more controlled stimuli to a subject using at least one stimulator electrode and for acquiring electric activity signals of one or more motor units of a subject using at least one detector electrode;
positioning said electrode array on a subject, delivering a stimulus of varying characteristics to the subject and acquiring a set of electric activity signals of one or more motor units of the subject;
identifying and eliminating any acquired signals due to alternation;
automatically estimating motor unit number using an automation algorithm,wherein the automation algorithm consists of;
(i) pre-processing acquired responses so as to consolidate and enhance the acquired signals; and
(ii) identifying plausible new motor unit activation events and corresponding response changes; and
(iii) determining representatives of single motor unit potential features, and computing approaches; and
(iv) estimating motor unit number and distribution statistics associated with the motor unit number;
wherein pre-processing the acquired signals comprises;
(a) estimating background noise level; and
(b) determining motor unit activity region in the acquired signal; and
(c) ordering waveforms according to activity level, and removing noise-only waveforms; and
(d) identifying and combining waveforms with insignificant morphological variations in relation to background noise;
wherein a background noise level is determined by;
(a) using waveform segments known to have no motor unit activity; and
(b) estimating statistics of noise level, the estimated statistics comprising at least one of mean absolute deviation, standard deviation, and mean square error.
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Abstract
A method for the assessment of neuromuscular function by motor unit number estimation, comprising: (i) determining and controlling stimulation and data acquisition process via pre-configured electrode array so as to acquire stable and less uncertainty MU responses; (ii) pre-processing acquired MUs responses so as to attenuate noise, determine MUs activity region, and improve processing speed and accuracy; (iii) minimizing alternation effects by globally searching and comparing SMUPs; (iv) eliminating alternation effects by identifying alternating MUs directly; and (v) computing and reporting MUNE results, as well as the statistical description of these MUN estimates to evaluate its robustness.
30 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for assessing neuromuscular function by estimating motor unit numbers, the method comprising:
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providing an electrode array for delivering one or more controlled stimuli to a subject using at least one stimulator electrode and for acquiring electric activity signals of one or more motor units of a subject using at least one detector electrode; positioning said electrode array on a subject, delivering a stimulus of varying characteristics to the subject and acquiring a set of electric activity signals of one or more motor units of the subject; identifying and eliminating any acquired signals due to alternation; automatically estimating motor unit number using an automation algorithm, wherein the automation algorithm consists of; (i) pre-processing acquired responses so as to consolidate and enhance the acquired signals; and (ii) identifying plausible new motor unit activation events and corresponding response changes; and (iii) determining representatives of single motor unit potential features, and computing approaches; and (iv) estimating motor unit number and distribution statistics associated with the motor unit number; wherein pre-processing the acquired signals comprises; (a) estimating background noise level; and (b) determining motor unit activity region in the acquired signal; and (c) ordering waveforms according to activity level, and removing noise-only waveforms; and (d) identifying and combining waveforms with insignificant morphological variations in relation to background noise; wherein a background noise level is determined by; (a) using waveform segments known to have no motor unit activity; and (b) estimating statistics of noise level, the estimated statistics comprising at least one of mean absolute deviation, standard deviation, and mean square error. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification