Introduction

RADO-SCS model is the first open source spinal cord model for simulating
conventional/High Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation, Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)
Stimulation, and transpinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS). The RADO-SCS model
emerged over years. In our very first version of the SCS model, RADO-SCS 1.0,
cylindrical shapes were used to represent the spinal tissues which later got
upgraded with an extensive research and modeling works to RADO-SCS 2.0. This
version included detailed spinal tissues anatomy but the spinal roots, rootlets,
sympathetic chain, DRG, and vasculatures were not included in that model.

Freely available online, the RADO-SCS will be updated continuously with version
control.

Citation
This open-source model is made available based on Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International (CC BY 4.0) License. Please use the following citation when referring
to our open-source model.

Khadka, N., Liu, X., Zander, H., Swami, J., Rogers, E., Lempka, S.F., Bikson, M.,
2019. Realistic Anatomically Detailed Open-Source Spinal Cord Stimulation (RADO-
SCS) Model. bioRxiv 857946. https://doi.org/10.1101/857946.

Significance of the RADO-SCS model

The RADO-SCS 3.0 can be used to simulate any SCS approach with both unprecedented
resolution (precision) and transparency (reproducibility). Compared to prior
models, RADO-SCS model meets or exceeds detail for every tissue compartment. The
resulting electric fields in white and gray-matter, and axon model activation
thresholds are broadly consistent with prior simulations.

Getting Started
Before you download the RADO-SCS model for simulation, we suggest to read “forward
modeling workflow for current flow models” which will provide detailed help with a
general FEM modeling Pipeline using CAD-derived/MRI-derived models. The current
flow modeling pipelines have been published many times in our prior publications
(https://doi.org/10.1101/704940). When ready, you can download the latest version
of the RADO-SCS model ( V 3.0) and use it for your exploratory clinical or academic
research.

Modeling Workflow
Download all STL files as they represent realistic and anatomically detailed T9-T11
level spinal tissues, vertebraes, IV discs, soft-tissues, vasculatures, and
clinical leads (pre-positioned). If you don’t need all the detailed tissues, you
can remove them from your final model.

If you want to position the SCS leads in different location, import all STLs using
CAD software like SolidWorks 2016 or later (recommended), Abacus, Mimics, etc., and
re-position the leads.

Save your final model files and import them either in free or commercial meshing
software. We recommend Simpleware or other powerful meshing software because the
model has sub-millimeter resolution.

After the model is meshed, import the model into finite element method (FEM) or
finite element analysis (FEA) current flow simulating software such as COMSOL,
Abaqus, Mimics, etc.

If interested in fiber activation thresholds simulation, export the extracellular

voltages calculated from the FEM model and couple it into the NEURON/ Matlab
modeling platform.
Notes and Disclaimers
Version 3.0 is the most updated version of the RADO-SCS model.

RADO-SCS does not include a pathological human spinal cord, but there are plans to
incorporate this in future versions.

This open-source model only includes CAD derived model files with pre-positioned
SCS leads. However, the users can change the lead position using commercial or
open-source CAD-software as their need.

RADO-SCS is not a modeling open-source software. It is a CAD-derived model of

realistic human spinal anatomy which can be downloaded and simulated for
educational, clinical, or exploratory purposes. See the modeling pipeline on how to
use the open-source RADO-SCS for numerical simulation.

There is a plan to develop an open-source current flow modeling platform using the
most-updated version of the RADO-SCS model in future.