High-density electromyography as a method for estimating laryngeal muscle activity: a preliminary study

Josue Martínez*, Oscar Valencia, Matias Zañartu

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Current methods for monitoring laryngeal muscle function include techniques such as intramuscular electromyography, external laryngeal palpation, and laryngeal endoscopy. Although these methods have provided much information about muscle activation and function during voice production, they are invasive, uncomfortable, and subjective. The objective of this work is to explore the use of the high-density electromyography (HDsEMG) as a non-invasive alternative that can potentially provide objective information on the activity of the laryngeal muscles during speech. with a focus on the cricothyroid muscle (CT). From this set of signals, it is possible to decompose the electromyography signal, providing indirect information on the spatial recruitment and firing rates of motor units (MU) within the muscle. It is hypothesized that the use of MU firing rate and recruitment will allow for a better estimation of muscle activation compared to traditional methods. A high-density wireless HDsEMG equipment (Sessantaquattro, OT Bioelettronica) is used with a 64-channel electrode grid, which are centered on the CT muscle. Preliminary results of a case study illustrated that it was possible to obtain the rates and firing trains of 4 motor u nits. Future work will explore how HDsEMG applied to the larynx has the potential to improve diagnostic and therapeutic follow-up of pathologies of laryngeal function.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication18th International Symposium on Medical Information Processing and Analysis
EditorsJorge Brieva, Pamela Guevara, Natasha Lepore, Marius G. Linguraru, Leticia Rittner, Eduardo Romero Castro
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510662544
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
Event18th International Symposium on Medical Information Processing and Analysis - Valparaiso, Chile
Duration: 9 Nov 202211 Nov 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume12567
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

Conference18th International Symposium on Medical Information Processing and Analysis
Country/TerritoryChile
CityValparaiso
Period9/11/2211/11/22

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 SPIE.

Keywords

  • Decomposition
  • Firing rate
  • High-density surface electromyography
  • Motor unit
  • cricothyroid muscle

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