In carrying out this latter study, the effect of current redistribution from interstitial to intracellular space was included, but only under steady-state conditions. This work needs to be extended to the transient case. The reciprocal problem, namely an investigation of the effect of electrode size and shape in electromyography, is currently being studied. The action currents fill the entire conducting region,according to the laws of electricity. As a result potential fields surrounding and at a distance from active processes can be detected and measured.
Familiar examples are the electrocardiogram, electromyogram,etc.
This is important not only in clinical situations, but in basic research as well. The goal of this research is to develop quantitative formulations for the electrical generators associated with activation processes. The case of a single cell in a uniform volume conductor and its extension to the cylindrical fiber has been well studied over the last twenty years. Interest now centers on multi fiber preparations including muscle and nerve bundles, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle. Such formulations are needed during activation as well as recovery.