The diaphragm EMG recorded from chest wall surface electrodes might prove unreliable due to signal contamination from muscle activity other than the diaphragm. Conventionally, the oesophageal electrode catheters for human studies were featured with only one pair of electrodes, which were difficult to be placed properly and was also influenced by a change in the lung volume. But, at present, a multi-pair oesophageal electrode catheter has been introduced. This innovative electrode catheter helps in recording high-quality EMG.
The diaphragm EMG, recorded with the help of a multi-pair oesophageal electrode, is also helpful in assessing neural respiratory drive and diaphragm function in distinctive groups of patients suffering from respiratory disease, also counting patients with neuromuscular disease and sleep-disordered breathing, as well as those in the ICU.
There is a wide range of intralumenal, multi-use, flexible, silicone rubber catheters proffered by various medical instruments manufacturers. These EMG Electrode Catheters are manufactured with platinum ring electrodes which are mounted alone or jointly with pressure sensors. In addition to the standard catheters available in the market, catheters modified as per specific individual customers with respect to length, diameter, and electrode location are also available.
If needed, the catheter might also be specified in single or multi-lumen variants which will inflict constraints on the overall diameter of the catheter. By making a correct choice for measurements, the catheters can provide applications in upper as well as lower GI tracts in addition to providing applications for detecting urine leakage in ambulatory urological studies.
Also, earlier, a range of catheters were, marked with nonspecific part numbers which acknowledged only the number of electrodes and pressure sensors. For re-ordering purposes, these catheters are marked with a particular product code. The EMG electrode catheters include ten coils which form five recording electrode pairs. Each individual electrode is 1cm in length and there is a gap measuring 0.5mm between electrodes. Also, the inter-electrode gap within an electrode pair is 3.2 cm.
However, to record the diaphragm EMG accurately, the electrode catheter should be placed as close to the diaphragm as possible. The optimum position of the catheter provides maximal signal for EMG. Contrasting chest wall surface electrodes, the oesophageal electrode catheters cannot be placed simply on the basis of fixed anatomical marks. Earlier, investigators placed the catheters by observing the level of the diaphragm EMG during quiet or maximal breathing efforts assuming that the maximal EMG signal would be perceived on optimum positioning of the catheter.
To conclude with, evaluating the diaphragm EMG might be helpful in diagnosing and treating different respiratory diseases. The recent developments indicate that EMG electrode catheters are easy and simple to use I addition to being safe.
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