Non-Invasive System for Identifying Motoneuron Behavior

描述（由申请人提供）：第一阶段SBIR描述了一种创新技术的商业开发的第一步，该技术用于记录和分解表面肌电图（sEMG）信号为其组成的运动单位动作电位（运动神经元放电）。拟议的SBIR将提供一种急需的机制，以进一步开发、强化和使我们实验室在母体R01的支持下开发的技术更加用户友好。这个项目的影响将是为整个研究界提供一个工具来执行基于运动神经元放电行为的运动控制研究，否则是不可能的，并探索正常或功能失调的神经肌肉系统的工作。目前还没有为此目的设计的商用系统。为了回应同事们的坚持要求，我们向他们中的一些人提供了未经完善的实验室技术。第一阶段的目标是通过开发和测试可销售系统的关键要素，确定第二阶段研发工作的优点/可行性。该方法将结合我们作为世界领先的sEMG公司的成熟的产品开发技能，以及我们基于实验室的研发，开发了最先进的MU分解技术。第一阶段将开始：a)转移当前不同的实验室软件组件，用于记录表肌电信号，使其有利于在有组织且易于使用的商业平台中通过算法进行分解（目标1）；以用户友好的格式开发新的后处理分析软件，扩大研究人员分析MU发射的能力（目标2）；c)扩展现有技术，使其能够在单周期上肢运动期间分析MUs，并为步态和其他功能应用的第二阶段分析做准备（目标3）。来自潜在最终用户的评估和反馈将引导目标朝着可销售的系统发展。在第二阶段结束时，建议的交付成果将包括：i)一个穿戴式数据记录仪（将在第二阶段开发，采用我们产品线的成熟技术），支持传感器数据的静态或动态记录，II)基于pc的分解软件（在第一阶段和第二阶段开发），使研究人员能够轻松设置数据收集实验，监测信号质量，管理数据文件，执行离线分解，并提供可选择的MU数据图和高级分析。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Phase I SBIR describes the first step towards the commercial development of an innovative technology for recording and decomposing the surface electromyographic (sEMG) signal into its constituent motor unit action potentials (motoneuron firings). The proposed SBIR will provide a much needed mechanism to further develop, harden, and make more user-friendly technology developed in our laboratory under the support of a parent R01. The impact of this project will be to provide the research community-at-large a tool to perform motor control investigations based on motoneuron firing behavior not otherwise possible, and to explore the workings of the normal or dysfunctional neuromuscular system. There are no commercially available systems designed for this purpose. In response to insistent requests from colleagues we have provided our lab-based technology in its un refined form to a few of them. The objective of Phase I is to establish the merit/feasibility of the R&D effort for Phase II by developing and testing key elements of a marketable system. The approach will combine our proven product-development skills as the leading sEMG company in the world, with our laboratory-based R&D that has developed the state-of-the art MU decomposition technology. Phase I will begin: a) transferring the current disparate laboratory-based software components for recording sEMG signals in a manner that makes them conducive for decomposition by the algorithms in an organized and easy to use commercial platform (Aim 1); developing new post-processing analysis software in a user-friendly format that broadens the ability of researchers to analyze MU firings (Aim 2); and c) expanding the current technology to enable the analysis of MUs during single-cycle upper limb movements, and prepare for Phase II analysis of gait and other functional applications (Aim 3). Evaluation and feedback from prospective end users will guide the aims towards a marketable system. The proposed deliverable at the end of Phase II will consist of: i) a body-worn data-logger (to be developed in Phase II by adapting proven technology from our product line) that supports either stationary or ambulatory recording of sensor data, and ii) PC-based decomposition software (developed in Phase I and II) that enables the researcher to easily set up data collection experiments, monitor signal quality, manage data files, perform offline decomposition, and provide selectable MU data plots and advanced analyses.