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To design a non-invasive technique of obtaining an electromyography (EMG) of the bladder during voiding in humans.
Abstract
While much is known about the electrical signal generated by both cardiac and skeletal muscle, very little is known about the signal generated by smooth muscle. This report describes a device that will detect the electrical activity of the detrusor muscle, a smooth muscle surrounding the bladder that is responsible for voiding. In a previous study, a 0.5 mV change was detected by surface electrodes during voiding. However, the article did not address skin motion artifact, which could have caused the voltage change. Our goal was to investigate whether the voltage change was actually a result of smooth muscle activity. We hoped to accomplish this by replicating their study with the addition of skin abrasion. In addition to surface electrodes, an internal catheter electrode was also incorporated in the design. Unfortunately we were unable to fully evaluate the potential of an internal electrode due to limitation regarding human testing.
The final design incorporated both surface and internal Ag-AgCl electrodes, a basic electromyography circuit, and a data recorder. The circuit had a common mode rejection ratio of 105 dB, a gain of 1775, and passed frequencies between 0.01 Hz and 60.2 Hz. The results of the testing with surface electrodes showed that during micturition voltage decreased by an amplified value of approximately 1.06 V. Additional testing is required to obtain any statistical significance and to confirm that the signal is related to the contraction of the detrusor muscle.
The Human Bladder
Female Anatomy
Male Anatomy
Click here for animation of the urinary process (Shockwave will download automatically if not installed)
Preliminary testing with tab surface electrodes.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 9 | Formed team, met with client, set plans for research |
| 2 | September 16 | Research in areas of circuitry, electrode placement and type, and signal output. |
| 3 | September 23 | Further research |
| 4 | September 30 | Preparation of midsemester papers/presentations |
| 5 | October 7 | Deliver midsemester presentations |
| 6 | October 14 | Decide upon final design |
| 7 | October 21 | Build circuit, design internal electrodes. |
| 8 | October 28 | Test circuit prototype. Build internal electrodes. |
| 9 | November 4 | Further testing of circuit, with internal electrodes. |
| 10 | November 11 | Compile final paper. |
| 11 | November 18 | Compile final paper. Consider design modications. |
| 12 | November 25 | Implement design modifications. |
| 13 | December 2 | Thanksgiving |
| 14 | December 9 | Final Poster Presentations |
| 15 | December 16 | Hand in written report and notebooks. |
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Jeff and Joe's Midsemester Report (Oct 17 2003, 221 kb) |
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Kristin and Elese's Midsemester Report (Oct 17 2003, 2203 kb) |
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Jon and Josh's Midsemester Report (Oct 17 2003, 147 kb) |
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Final Paper (Dec 9 2003, 396 kb) |
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Poster Slides (Dec 9 2003, 440 kb) |
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PDS (Dec 9 2003, 31 kb) |
