Numerical Simulation of Selective Blocking Properties of Vagus Nerve A Fibers

Vagus nerve stimulation can regulate the balance of autonomic nerve function and improve the quality of life of patients with heart failure. However, as the main reason to limit its therapeutic effect, the overstimulation of the vagus nerve A fibers may cause intolerable side effects. Therefore, it is needed to develop a selective blocking technology to reduce the side effects. Based on the Hodgkin-Huxley (H-H) model and the cable transmission principle of nerve fibers, we simulation the blocking properties of vagus nerve A fibers from $5\mu\mathrm{m}$ to $20\mu\mathrm{m}$ in diameter. And carried out on the parameters of blocking electrodes including block delay, electrode position, stimulation intensity, stimulation frequency and stimulation duty cycle. It is concluded that the blocking delay determined by the distance between the blocking electrode and the stimulating electrode as well as the propagation speed can better achieve selective fiber blocking. Among them, when the stimulation intensity, stimulation frequency and stimulation duty cycle are consistent with the stimulation electrode parameters, the blocking effect was better. In this study, only a single blocking electrode was used for blocking, but it is expected that multiple blocking electrodes can be used to achieve complete blockade of the action potential. Which provided a new idea for the selective blocking of nerve fibers.