Proc.
13th National Conference with International Participation "Electronica 2022", May 19 - 20, 2022, Sofia, Bulgaria
3D Modeling of Magnetic Stimulation of
Cochlear Nerve
Valentin Mateev
Department of Electrical Apparatus, Department of Electrical Apparatus,
Technical University of Sofia Technical University of Sofia
8 Kliment Ohridski blvd., 1000 Sofia, 8 Kliment Ohridski blvd., 1000 Sofia,
Bulgaria
vmateev@tu-sofia.bg malajov@tu-sofia.bg
2022 13th National Conference with International Participation (ELECTRONICA) | 978-1-6654-8100-7/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ELECTRONICA55578.2022.9874413
Abstract—This paper presents 3D modeling of outer
magnetic stimulation of cochlear nerve in a realistic human
head model. Transient Finite element method (FEM) modeling
has been used. The FEM model represents an anatomically
precise geometrical model of human head with known tissue
electrical properties. The induced voltages and flux densities in
the cochlear nerve are determined depending on the
stimulation coil relative distance, spatial position to the head
and electric current. Shielding effect due to tissue electrical
conductivity is estimated and visualized. These data will be
used for advanced stimulation coil design and adaptive
positioning methodology, with possible application for direct
human-to-machine interface.
Keywords—magnetic stimulation, electromagnetic modeling,
finite element method
I. INTRODUCTION
One of the fastest growing methods of direct treatment in
modern medicine is magnetic stimulation [1-3]. The action
of the electromagnetic field on the human nervous system
has a number of potential advantages over the methods of
invasive surgery and contact treatment. Some of these
advantages are high efficiency of interaction, partial or
complete absence of surgery, shorter time to achieve the
effect of stimulation, as well as control of direction and
intensity of its action [5, 6]. Some types of electric and
magnetic stimulation are widely used from therapeutic
treatment to life-saving control of action of human organs.
More and more electrical stimulation implants are being
developed that successfully monitor and replace impaired
human functions. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is an
established method of influencing brain activity [7-9]. The
completely non-invasive advantages of magnetic stimulation
allows for the development of the method, not only for
therapeutic purposes, but also for other applications of
interest. Magnetic stimulation has the potential to implement
direct interaction in human-to-machine interface
applications, where the stimulation is used to transfer
information signal from outer source with selective spatial
resolution.
The aim of this work is to implement 3D computer
modeling of magnetic stimulation of the auditory nerve. The
process will be carried out by creating 3D anatomical objects
from a series of real medical images from a computer
tomography (CT). Then a FEM electro-magnetic field model
is built. It will be optimized for best magnetic stimulation
results. The obtained results of the magnetic fields and
internal tissue effects are presented and analyzed. These data
will be used for advanced stimulation coil design, with
possible application for direct human-to-machine interface.
978-1-6654-8100-7/22/$31.00 ©2022 IEEE
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Martin Alajov Iliana Marinova
Department of Electrical Apparatus,
Technical University of Sofia
8 Kliment Ohridski blvd., 1000 Sofia,
Bulgaria Bulgaria
iliana@tu-sofia.bg
II. MAGNETIC STIMULATION
Magnetic stimulation is performed by electromagnetic
induction. Under the action of a changing magnetic field
electric potential difference is induced in the target parts of
the nervous under treatment. Because the magnetic
permeability of human tissues is very close to that of air
(they are practically equal), the magnetic field easily reaches
deep into the body. Therefore, magnetic stimulation is most
often non-invasive. No electrodes are used. The magnetic
flux is emitted by a moving coil with a special shape. Its
construction, position and orientation determine the
effectiveness of stimulation.
Magnetic stimulation has significant advantages over
electrical stimulation [5-9]. The procedure is effective, non-
invasive, painless and safe. There is no need for prior special
preparation of the electrodes or patient's skin, as with
electrical stimulation. It is easy to stimulate nerves at depth.
Despite these serious advantages, magnetic stimulation also
has disadvantages. The main one is the more difficult control
of the stimulation. With a slight deviation of the position or
orientation of the patient on the stimulating coil can
significantly reduce its effect. In electrical stimulation, in
most cases, point stimulation is performed, while in magnetic
stimulation, an area is stimulated. However, due to its
advantages, there is extensive research and development of
magnetic stimulation, both for therapeutic purposes and in
other areas related to the human nervous system. [9-11]
III. ELECTROMAGNETIC FEM MODELING
The electromagnetic field distribution inside the
conductive tissue region, with conductivity σ, depends on the
time varying magnetic flux density.
1 ∂A
∇× ∇× A = J −σ ( + ∇Vε ) . (1)
µ ∂t
Equation (1) is the governing equation for magnetic
vector potential (A) - electric scalar potential (V)
formulation [9].
This formulation is suitable for the estimation of field
reluctance effects due to induced currents in electrically
conductive tissues, which are causing so called shielding to
deep penetration of magnetic flux density, related both with
distance from the source and domain conductivity.
The finite element implementation of the A-V,A
formulation has been carried out by using four-nodded, first-
order, tetrahedral elements. The problem is solved with
Ansys-Maxwell software [9].
 IV. 3D MODELING
Even with very good resolution CT images, the auditory
nerve is difficult to be clearly visualized [7]. But it can be
located by the Internal Auditory Meatus (IAM), which can
be easily found on CT images. In addition to the auditory
nerve, there are four other nerves. As mentioned above,
magnetic stimulation acts on a volumetric domain, not on a
local point, so it is the goal of this model to recreate a 3D
object from IAM, and to talk about magnetic stimulation of
the auditory nerve, represented as simplified volumetric
domain.
Due to the good CT image quality and the close distance
between two sequential slices, the 3D object created by IAM
is visually very close to reality, with special resolution of 1
mm. IAM is represented with a simplifying volumetric
object, build as a cylinder with its diameter and height was
made, and the most important parameter for the study
remained unchanged - its location in the human head. Fig. 4.
shows the cylinder describing the IAM, the target for
magnetic stimulation.
Fig. 1. 3D human head model- soft tissue.
The created realistic geometric model of a human head
is shown in Fig.1 and Fig.2. Recognized tissue electric
properties are shown in Table 1.
Fig. 2. Part of the human head model loaded in Ansys-Maxwell in half
profile view.
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In order to compute the magnetic flux density distribution
inside the investigated object a Finite Element Method model
is developed. A realistic geometric model (Fig.2) of human
head is used for FEM analysis. The realistic geometric model
is created by the volumetric surface tracing method with
tissue histogram boundaries, based on Hausdorff distances
[9,12].
The tissue domains are accepted to be internally
electrically and magnetically homogeneous. All tissue
regions are with a relative magnetic permeability μr=1. The
tissue electric properties are shown in Table 1. The field
source is a cylindrical coil, which produce a directed
magnetic field in the area under investigation.
Fig. 3. Part of the human head loaded in Ansys-Maxwell with relative
coordinate sytem, used for source coil positioning.
Neuron input signals are received by dendritic receptors.
These signals are transmitted to the soma and change the
potential of the axonal membrane. When a certain threshold
value is reached, an impulse (activation potential) is
conducted in the axon to the synapse. The action potentials
activate the neurotransmitter (chemical signaling substance)
and the signal is transmitted to the receptors of the
neighboring nerve cell chemically. The neurotransmitter
signal depends on the frequency of the action potentials. [1]
Electric and/or magnetic stimuli aim to create or suppress
impulses of action in the axon.
 The expected magnetic flux density created by the
optimized outer coil in the nerve, must be greater than 23
mT. It was observed that the value of the magnetic flux
density is greatest in the area of the auricle (B_max = 823
mT). In the distal part of the skin in the mouth, it is below 35
mT. In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the vectors of magnetic flux density
are shown in the oral cavity and in the skin of the face.
Fig.7. shows the magnetic flux density in the skull. In the
area closest to the source of the magnetic field, the magnetic
flux density is about 250 mT. Around the auditory nerve (not
seen in the figure) its value is about 30 mT.
Fig. 4. Location of the coil, nerve and skin, Z-axis view.
Fig. 5. Distribution of magnetic flux density in the skin area.
Fig. 6. Distribution of magnetic flux density in the soft tissue.
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It was observed that at small distances from the center (1-
2 cm) of the stimulation coil, even in the tissues closest to the
coil, the magnetic induction decreases fast. Therefore, in
small objects located at a great distance from the stimulator,
such as the auditory nerve in this case, the correct positioning
and orientation of the coil is an important part of stimulation.
Fig. 7. Distribution of magnetic flux density in the skull area.
The value calculated using the model was B = 23 mT, it
is calculated with a distance from the center of the winding
of 64 mm. It is the smallest distance between the stimulator
and the nerve. the maximum magnetic induction calculated
using Ansys-Maxwell at this point. The value calculated with
the model and the result obtained after the analysis with
analytical Biot-Savart static formulation have a small
percentage of error (relative error δ = 1.4%), therefore it can
be said that the developed model results are reliable.
V. TISSUE SHIELDING EFFECT AND SHIELDING
COEFFICIENT
Field reluctance coefficient depending on distance to the
stimulation coil center is presented in Fig.8. It is observed
increased reluctance due to the distance. Tissue shielding
effect is related with local electrical conductivity and tissue
internal thickness. To estimate shielding effect, here is used a
shielding coefficient, equal to obtained target magnetic flux
density, compared to free space magnetic flux density,
without conductive region. This difference between target
magnetic flux density and free space magnetic flux density,
could be easily observed in Fig.8, where blue line is the
target magnetic flux density in electrically conductive
domain and the red line is the free space magnetic flux
density coefficient.
Fig. 8. Field reluctance coefficient depending on distance to the
stimulation coil center.
 Estimation of field reluctance effects due to induced
currents in electrically conductive tissues, which are causing
so called shielding to deep penetration of magnetic flux
density, related both with distance from the source and
domain conductivity. This estimation is made for different
local coil positions (Fig.3) in a structured surface grid (Fig.9)
with size 10×10 cm. Estimated field reluctance coefficient
shows higher field values over the ear channel, which is the
shorter distance through air to auditory nerve domain.
-50
-40
-30
-20
-10
Y (mm)
0 European Structural and Investment Funds.
10
20
30
40
50
-60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60
X (mm)
Fig. 9. Field reluctance coefficient depending on spatial coil position.
Magnetic stimulation has the potential to implement
direct forward interaction human-to-machine interface
applications, where the stimulation is used to transfer
information modulated signal from outer source with
selective spatial resolution. The main barrier for stimulation
process is the distance between stimulation source and object
under treatment. Distance reduces the magnetic field
intensity and field focusing ability. For that reason, internally
situated field sources are very attractive reducing both
distance and conductive outer skin barrier. Design of small
implantable coils could clear main disadvantages and
improve operational conditions for optimal stimulation. Such
implants could be placed safely in the mouth, nose or ear
cavities. In such small distances to the stimulation object,
energy consumption is also reduced. Additional safety
measures will be required for implantable stimulation coils.
VI. CONCLUSION
The present paper outlines the main steps for modeling
magnetic stimulation of cochlear nerve. A method to build
3D anatomical models that can be used to study fields and
processes is presented. The method of building 3D computer
models, sequence of actions, features of complex geometric
objects and tissue material properties are demonstrated.
Additional software means for improving the geometry of
CAD objects is considered, which can be used for processing
anatomical objects in ANSYS-Maxwell.
Flat stimulation coil position and location can be
optimized by finding the values of the parameters and
determining the maximum magnetic flux density at any point
on the coil axial direction or by determining the magnetic
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flux density by the given coil design parameters. The
presented computer modeling of magnetic stimulation of the
auditory nerve would be suitable for realization in other
magnetic stimulation applications as well.
Obtained data will be used for advanced stimulation coil
design, with possible application for direct forward human-
to-machine interface, with enhanced spatial resolution
selectivity. Coil arrays, in implantable form factor, will be a
new optimal solution for one directional human nervous
system electrical interfacing.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
0.22
This work was partially supported by project
0.21 BG05M2OP001-1.001-0008 “National Center of
Mechatronics and Clean Technology”, financed by the
0.2
Operational Program "Science and Education for Smart
Growth", co-financed by the European Union through the
0.19
0.18
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