Estimation of the conduction velocity distribution of motor unit action potentials (MUAPs)

A recessed line array electrode was developed to record two-channel bipolar surface EMG (electromyography) signals for the estimation of the conduction velocity distribution (CVD) of MUAPs. All steep transitions between consecutive negative and positive peaks (slopes) in the signals were identified. The amplitude and duration of the slopes and the time-delays between them were used to match the slopes of the signals from the two channels. Conduction velocities of the matched pairs of slopes were calculated to yield a histogram representing the CVD of MUAPs. A major advantage of the approach is that it allows the CVD to be estimated without decomposing the EMG signals or using EMG models based on various assumptions.<>