Lahey Clinic Models Scar Effects in Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation
Kris Carlson, Dr. Jay Shils & Dr. Jeffrey Arle
Lahey Clinic
Burlington, MA
The Neuromodulation Group at Lahey Clinic conducted a study based upon spinal cord stimulation (SCS). SCS involves implanting a series of electrodes that apply electric potential to the spine, interfering with pain signaling circuitry. It’s used to alleviate chronic back and leg pain. Although the treatment remains effective for years, the electrodes must be reprogrammed through trial and error because scarring alters the electrical characteristics of the system.
The team at Lahey Clinic used simulation to solve the problem. Having already created an incredibly detailed, one-of-a-kind model in SolidWorks®, they turned to COMSOL Multiphysics®. The model was linked to COMSOL Multiphysics using LiveLinkTM for SolidWorks®, which allowed the team to adjust their model to different material and physics parameters.
By adding these changes to the model, they saw the distortion of the electrical fields caused by the scar formation. This analysis allowed doctors to model the electrical field of the implanted electrodes around a patient’s scar tissue and adjust the electrodes to immediately alleviate pain.
SolidWorks is a registered trademark of Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation or its parent, affiliates, or subsidiaries.
Suggested Stories
Engineering Perfect Puffed Snacks
The production of puffed rice, like many other types of food, is incredibly complicated and involves multiple ...
Dielectric Stress Simulation Advances Design of ABB Smart Grid-Ready Tap Changers
Consumers of power rely on fairly stable voltages. Transformers contain tap changers which vary the ratio of secondary ...
Training Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles for Visualization of Subsurface Structures
By using simulation apps and machine learning techniques, USM researchers are laying the groundwork for UUVs capable ...
Get a Quick Look at How Plastometrex Uses COMSOL Compiler™
Step into the world of the startup company Plastometrex to see how they developed an efficient method for measuring ...
