title: Functional mapping of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles from high-density surface EMG recordings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Knowledge of the innervation of pelvic floor and sphincter muscles is of great importance to understanding the pathophysiology of female pelvic floor dysfunctions. This report presents our high-density intravaginal and intrarectal electromyography (EMG) probes and a comprehensive innervation zone (IZ) imaging technique based on high-density EMG readings to characterize the IZ distribution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both intravaginal and intrarectal probes are covered with a high-density surface electromyography electrode grid (8 × 8). Surface EMG signals were acquired in ten healthy women performing maximum voluntary contractions of their pelvic floor. EMG decomposition was performed to separate motor-unit action potentials (MUAPs) and then localize their IZs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-density surface EMG signals were successfully acquired over the vaginal and rectal surfaces. The propagation patterns of muscle activity were clearly visualized for multiple muscle groups of the pelvic floor and anal sphincter. During each contraction, up to 218 and 456 repetitions of motor units were detected by the vaginal and rectal probes, respectively. MUAPs were separated with their IZs identified at various orientations and depths.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed probes are capable of providing a comprehensive mapping of IZs of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles. They can be employed as diagnostic and preventative tools in clinical practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, 360 HBS Building, 4811 Calhoun Rd., Houston, TX, 77004, USA.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: School of Electronic and Information Engineering, Ningbo University of Technology, Ningbo, China.
authors.forename: Jinbao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khavari
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, 360 HBS Building, 4811 Calhoun Rd., Houston, TX, 77004, USA. yzhang94@uh.edu.
authors.forename: Yingchun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology; D059952:Pelvic Floor Disorders; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EMG; Electromyography; Innervation zone; Intrarectal; Intravaginal; Motor unit; Pelvic floor muscles; Probe