Efficient search and fit methods to find nerve stimulation parameters for multi-contact electrodes.

This paper describes a method to efficiently sample EMG recruitment space over a wide range of pulse amplitude (PA) and pulse width (PW). A gradient based search method is developed to find high information areas of a recruitment surface. This search method is first examined in the context of simulated EMG recruitment data and its ability to sample and subsequently fit Gompertz-Function-inspired surfaces to it. The search method is then used to determine parameters when stimulating through an 8 contact flat interface nerve electrode (FINE). The recorded EMG recruitment data are then used to validate the Gompertz surface fitting method as well as the search method.