Non-Invasive System for Identifying Motoneuron Behavior

描述(由申请人提供)：该第一阶段SBIR描述了一种创新技术的商业开发的第一步，该技术用于记录表面肌电(SEMG)信号并将其分解为其组成的运动单位动作电位(运动神经元放电)。拟议的SBIR将提供一个亟需的机制，以进一步开发、强化和使我们的实验室在母公司R01的支持下开发出更方便用户的技术。这个项目的影响将是为广大研究社区提供一个工具，以进行基于运动神经元放电行为的运动控制调查，并探索正常或功能失调的神经肌肉系统的工作原理。目前还没有为此目的而设计的商用系统。为了回应同事们的不断要求，我们向其中一些人提供了我们基于实验室的未经改进的技术。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来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表面肌电信号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)转让目前不同的实验室软件组件，用于记录表面肌电信号，使其有利于算法在一个有组织和易于使用的商业平台上分解(目标1)；以用户友好的格式开发新的后处理分析软件，以扩大研究人员分析MU发射的能力(目标2)；以及c)扩展现有技术，以使能够在单周期上肢运动期间分析MU，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走向一个可销售的系统。第二阶段结束时的拟议交付成果将包括：i)身体佩戴的数据记录器(将在第二阶段开发，采用我们产品线经过验证的技术)，支持固定或动态记录传感器数据；以及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地建立数据收集实验、监控信号质量、管理数据文件、执行离线分解，并提供可选择的MU数据曲线图和高级分析。 公共卫生相关性：引入一种非侵入性工具来进行运动控制调查，否则是不可能的，这将使研究人员能够描绘出神经对肌肉力量、灵活性、协调性、平衡性和非自愿运动缺陷或增加的贡献。这些信息将使临床医生能够设计更有针对性的护理，以逆转神经损伤的影响或抵消与年龄相关的肌肉表现缺陷。这种循证干预将导致更有效地分配卫生资源，提高生活质量。

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. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The introduction of a non-invasive tool to perform motor control investigations not otherwise possible will enable researchers to delineate the neural contributions to deficits or gains in muscle strength, dexterity, coordination, balance, and involuntary movements. This information will enable clinicians to design more directed care for reversing the effects of neurological damage or counteracting age-related deficiencies in muscle performance. Such evidence-based interventions would lead to more efficient allocation of health resources and improve quality of life.